Palliative care services in Britain and Ireland--update 1991.

The objective of this study was to repeat part of a survey carried out the previous year and to describe and quantify the hospice and palliative care inpatient units throughout Great Britain and Ireland for the year 1991, this also to include a survey of palliative care day centres and hospital support services. Questionnaires were sent to 346 hospice and palliative care services in Great Britain and Ireland. Replies were analysed by the Hospice Information Service. A total of 293 replies were received (84% response). The report details bed usage, length of stay and admissions, deaths and discharges in inpatients units. It also describes provision of day centre places and types of services offered. An initial assessment is made of the different types of hospital palliative care support services available. An estimate of the number of patients receiving palliative care in inpatient units and in day care centres is made.