Watford Peace Hospice Care said hospices need to lead the way in end of life care after a health services ombudsman's report highlighted that thousands of dying patients across the UK are being let down by poor provision.

The organisation, which makes final decisions about NHS complaints, described tragic cases where people's suffering could have been avoided or lessened with better care provision.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigated 265 complaints about end of life care in the past four years, upholding just over half of them.

Peace Hospice Care's chief executive, Sue Plummer, said: "The report out today highlights that there is still much more that needs to be done to support patients approaching the end of their lives in hospitals.

"The NHS faces many huge challenges, particularly as patients over the next 20 years will live longer and have more complex end of life needs.

"The demand for these services is going to increase dramatically.

"As hospices, we need to continue leading the way in providing patients with relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness and improve the quality of life for both the patient and family from early stage diagnosis right up until the end of life - and beyond for our bereaved families.

"It's vital that we continue to aspire to the highest quality of care possible, ensuring each person who needs our services gets the very best and personalised care that is right for them."