A new report has stressed that the country's "obsession" with curing and taking care of sickness seems to have ended up leaving some terminally ill patients being poorly cared for, and unprepared for death.

It has been revealed that about 7 out of 10 Australians end up dying an "unexpected death" with doctors being able to accurately predict the length of time they have left to lie. A small group of medicals have now, however, hinted that there are some doctors who find it difficult to tell patients that they are on the verge of dying. As a result, these doctors sometimes prescribe unsuitable care.

"I think a lot of doctors find it very hard to say: `You're dying'. It's not easy for doctors to actually say: `No, I can't give you any more treatment'. I tell my patients: `I know I cannot cure you, but I can make you feel better. I will walk with you'", said Dr Richard Chye, Director of Sacred Heart Palliative Care Unit, at Sydney's St Vincent's Public Hospital.

The issue has now been analyzed in a new series of Four Corners program of ABC, entitled A Good Death, which will air on the channel at 8.30 PM on Monday.