• Sheila Hawker, Chris Kerr, Sheila Payne, David Seamark, Carol Davis, Helen Roberts, Nicola Jarrett, Paul Roderick, and Helen Smith.
• Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, University of Southampton, Boldrewood-Mail-point 728, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK. seh3@soton.ac.uk
• Palliat Med. 2006 Jul 1; 20 (5): 541-7.

ObjectivesThe perceptions of bereaved family members were obtained to evaluate the nature and quality of end-of-life care in community hospitals.DesignDuring organizational case studies in six community hospitals in the South East and South West of England, bereaved family members were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews.ParticipantsFifty-one interviews were conducted with family members of patients who had received end-of-life care in a community hospital within the previous year.ResultsRespondents were very positive about the care they and the patient had received. They valued the convenience of access for frequent and long-stay visiting and the familiarity of the local hospital. Comparisons were made with more negative experiences at their nearest District General Hospital. Issues raised included the noise at the community hospitals, and the lack of contact with qualified nurses.DiscussionThe results of this study have implications for UK government initiatives, such as the National Framework for Older People, and the Department of Health's 'Keeping the NHS Local'.

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