Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.To study the needs of the dying and the care they received. The survey is a description of the last year in the lives of 785 adults based mainly on the reports of close relatives. A further study, <i>Life Before Death, 1987</i> is held at the Data Archive as Study No. 2985.Main Topics:Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions A) Questions asked of doctors Whether anticipated deaths should be allowed in the home, ease of admission into suitable National Health Service institutions for different types of patient, types of beds needed most, adequacy of consultation between respondent and hospital staff over admission to and discharge from hospital. Number of domiciliary consultations requested during last 12 months, number of nights on call per week for cases other than obstetrics, whether emergency services used/should be used for night calls. Helpfulness and adequacy of district nursing services for patients at home with terminal illnesses. Suggestions for other services which could be helpful. Whether relatives of patients in local area accept responsibility for care (reasons). Attitude to informing terminal patients of the nature of their illness, prescriptions or medical supervision given to bereaved. Direct access to hospital beds for terminally ill. B) Questions asked of person who registered patient's death. Whether death expected, whether patient bedridden before death (duration), whether capabilities restricted, age at death, place of death, length of time in hospital, date of last visit to practitioner, whether employed during last 12 months, home help needed and received near time of death. If respondent did not live in same house as deceased: distance away, cost of journey, frequency of visits to deceased in last 12 months, place of work, employment status, changes in work pattern/financial situation/other resulting from caring for deceased. Help received from official services,...