PEOPLE still mistakenly imagine hospices as depressing institutions where people go to die rather than the modern-day reality where half of all patients go home after a stay, according to a survey today.

Doctors and nurses are to blame for the public perception of hospices and often delay referring patients because they do not think they are "ill enough", it was claimed.

Hospices now want to promote the fact that they offer more than just pain relief and a place to die, with services including aromatherapy, children's activities and even the chance of a gin and tonic.

A survey for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity found that 27 per cent of people in the UK believe that once patients enter a hospice, they have "no chance" of returning home.

Only eight per cent of the 2,100 people questioned were aware that half the patients go home after a stay in a hospice.

Only half of the public was aware that hospices offered counselling and welfare support services.

And fewer than one in five realised patients could drink alcohol, have alternative therapies or even go on day trips.

Dr Teresa Tate, medical adviser with Marie Curie, said: "The stereotypical idea of a hospice as a sombre institution where people go to die doesn't in any way reflect the reality.

"Hospices offer help with physical, psychological or social problems for those with advanced disease.

"Unfortunately, many medical professionals believe hospices are only for people very close to death."

She added: "This misunderstanding can result in patients and families struggling unnecessarily with symptoms such as pain and psychological distress because their doctor doesn't think they are 'ill enough' to go to a hospice."

A total of 2,100 people in the UK were questioned for the survey by Marie Curie Cancer Care.