Digital health and inclusion in palliative and end of life care

Digital services are increasingly used across the health and care system in the UK. The expansion of these services reflects national and local system-level commitments to increasing health system sustainability, reducing waiting times, empowering the public and widening access to health and social care services. The COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked elements of this transition from in-person to digital and virtual services, with many services switching over a matter of weeks or even days.

Hospices and other providers of palliative and end of life care are no exception to the trend of increasing digital transformation.

Digital services can increase access to health and social care for some groups of people. In this report we are showcasing the innovative ways that hospices are using digital technology to extend and improve services.

However, the introduction of digital services can also increase inequalities and decrease access among those who cannot or do not want to access care in this way. We highlight some of these challenges and make recommendations about how providers can integrate digital tools and services in a way that is inclusive and empowering.