Demand for palliative care outstrips supply

Cultural concerns and outdated health regulations are impeding the development of a national network of clinics. Yao Yuxin reports.

Most of the patients received by physician Qin Yuan, director of the hospice ward at Beijing Haidian Hospital, have an expected life span of two weeks or less.

With just six beds available for terminally ill patients, Qin has no option but to impose the time limit. "Some patients die while waiting for a bed," she said, leafing through the pages of a notebook filled with patients' names, phone numbers and details of their illnesses.