End is just the beginning: involvement of bereaved next of kin in qualitative research.

Dear Sir/Madam, We should focus more research on understanding the experiences of bereaved loved ones following death of an older person in hospital using qualitative research methods. Almost half the UK population die in hospital and more than two thirds of these are aged 75 years or more.1 In the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen high mortality rates for our most frail patients2 and especially challenging end of life experiences for their loved ones.3 Friends and family are an essential support network for older frail patients. Bereaved loved ones may be the only way to access the experiences of patients who …