End of life and palliative care
How much does end of life care at home cost?
NHS nursing and hospice care at home is free. If paid carers are needed, home care costs around £33.50 an hour in England and live-in care around £1,610 a week, based on The Care Panel's Q4 2026 index. However, many people at the end of life qualify for Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare, which pays the full cost of care at home without a means test.
Reviewed by The Care Panel editorial team on 22 October 2026. How we check our information.
What is free
- District and community nurses: nursing at home, including symptom control and equipment such as a hospital bed or pressure mattress.
- GP and specialist palliative care teams: medical care, including palliative care advice and anticipatory medicines.
- Hospice at home and Marie Curie: free where available, including some overnight care.
- Fast Track NHS continuing healthcare: for a rapidly deteriorating condition that may be entering a terminal phase, the NHS can fund the whole care package at home, with no means test.
Worked example: paying privately
Families may pay while waiting for Fast Track funding to start, or for extra hours. Using our Care Fees and Quality Index rates:
| Care pattern | Calculation | Weekly cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hours a day, 7 days | 21 × £33.50 | £703.50 |
| Waking nights, 3 a week (10 hours) | 30 × £33.50 | £1,005 |
| Live-in care | typical weekly rate | about £1,610 (about £1,800 in London) |
Prices vary by agency, and two carers for moving someone safely will cost more.
Benefits that help
Under the special rules for people with 12 months or less to live, Attendance Allowance is paid at the higher rate of £114.60 a week with no waiting period, and the claim is fast-tracked. Younger people can claim PIP under similar rules. Check with our Attendance Allowance checker. A family carer may qualify for Carer's Allowance of £86.45 a week.
How to get funded care in place
- Ask the GP, district nurse or hospital team for a Fast Track referral; see if the criteria may apply with our NHS continuing healthcare checker.
- Ask about the local hospice-at-home service.
- Ask the council for a carer's assessment.
- If private carers are needed quickly, compare home care providers who offer end of life care.
Our end of life care guide covers the practical and emotional side too.