Supporting patients in life's final chapter

How Willows Health delivers compassionate, community-based end-of-life care.

What we learned: overview of mortality at Willows Health

We reviewed 624 patient deaths across our practices between 2023 and early 2025, focusing on cause of death, place of death, and whether a personalised care plan was in place.

Most patients passed away peacefully in the community, with only 1 in 4 dying in hospital — significantly lower than the national average (43%).
Nearly 7 in 10 patients had a care plan, allowing their final days to reflect their wishes and needs.
The majority of deaths (75%) were expected, meaning families and care teams were prepared and supported.
Top causes of death were age-related conditions such as dementia, frailty, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illness.

A place to die with dignity: home and care homes

More than two-thirds of our patients were able to pass away at home or in care homes, often surrounded by loved ones — higher than the national average.

Care homes: 39%
At home: 29%
In hospital: 25%

Care plans: thoughtful, proactive planning

Having a care plan means patients and families have had time to talk, decide what matters most, and receive the right support.

70% of patients had an end-of-life care plan.
Most of these deaths were anticipated and well-managed.
Patients without plans typically experienced unexpected events such as sudden cardiac arrest or accidents.

Tackling health inequality: reducing early deaths

31% of deaths occurred before age 75, often due to cancer or heart disease, reflecting challenges of deprivation and health inequality in Leicester.

Proactive prevention work including smoking cessation, screening programmes, and chronic disease support.
Community outreach tailored to our diverse population.
Ongoing partnerships with public health teams to tackle avoidable deaths.

A compassionate review of every death

Every single death at Willows Health is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, working closely with the Medical Examiner (ME) system for quality assurance.

Did the patient receive the care they deserved?
Were their preferences respected?
Could anything have been done differently?

A benchmark of excellence

Compared to national figures, Willows Health is leading the way.

Enabling people to die in their preferred place.
Using care planning to deliver personal, compassionate care.
Engaging with community teams to reduce unnecessary hospitalisation.
High-quality death certification with Medical Examiner oversight.

Our commitments

Reducing health inequalities.
Planning proactively for end-of-life care.
Supporting families with compassion.
Investing in community-based, sustainable care models.