EBOOK Death, Dying, and Social Differences

Society has become increasingly diverse; multi-cultural, multi-faith and wide        ranging in family structures. The wealthier are healthier and social inequalities        are more pronounced. Respecting and working with the range of 'differences' among        service users, families and communities in health and social care with ill, dying        and bereaved people is a neglected area in the literature. As the principles of        palliative and end of life care increasingly permeate the mainstream of health        andsocial care services, it is important that professionals are sensitive and        respond to the differing needs of individuals from diverse socio-economic        backgrounds, ethnicities, beliefs, abilities and sexual orientations, as well as to        the different contexts and social environments in which people liveand die.This book        explores what underpins inequality, disadvantage and injustice in access to good end        of life care. Increasingly clinicians, policy planners, and academics are concerned        about inequity in service provision. Internationally, there is an increasing focus        and sense of urgency both on delivering good care in all settings regardless of        diagnosis, and on better meeting the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged        groups.National initiatives emphasise the importance of resolving disparities in        care and harnessing empowered user voices to drive change. This newly expanded,        fully revised second edition, with 11 new chapters, provides a comprehensive        analysis of discrimination, difference and disadvantage in end of life care, and        offers practical guidance for all who seek to support the equitable provision of        good end of life care.