Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Conclusion
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
We were highly concerned by the findings of the Expert Panel’s report, which revealed a sector in need of urgent support across all settings, underserving individuals from already vulnerable patient groups. The end of life system is fragmented, difficult to navigate, and leaves individuals in the ‘gap’ between health and …
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We were highly concerned by the findings of the Expert Panel’s report, which revealed a sector in need of urgent support across all settings, underserving individuals from already vulnerable patient groups. The end of life system is fragmented, difficult to navigate, and leaves individuals in the ‘gap’ between health and social care all too often. Without safeguards, the Government’s intention to shift palliative care to the community risks placing further unsustainable pressure on the community workforce, who are already overworked and under capacity. (Conclusion, Paragraph 8) The Modern Service Framework
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the concerns, stating it will develop accountability arrangements with the National Quality Board, refresh statutory guidance and service specifications later this year, and expect ICBs to complete integrated needs assessments to address the issues.
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Department of Health and Social Care
2
Conclusion
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s plans to introduce a Modern Service Framework to set national standards for palliative and end of life care services, and the Department’s commitment to co-produce this work alongside key stakeholders. However, we approach this with a level of scepticism, given the number of issues this Framework …
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We welcome the Government’s plans to introduce a Modern Service Framework to set national standards for palliative and end of life care services, and the Department’s commitment to co-produce this work alongside key stakeholders. However, we approach this with a level of scepticism, given the number of issues this Framework purports to resolve, and the risk the Government runs if this is not achieved. (Conclusion, Paragraph 16)
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises variable access to palliative care for children and young people and states the MSF will provide a framework for improvement with specific metrics. They will refresh statutory guidance and service specifications later this year to support ICB commissioning, and NHS England published …
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Department of Health and Social Care
11
Conclusion
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
National palliative and end of life care data provide valuable insight into patterns of healthcare use and location of death, however the evidence presented demonstrates substantial gaps in local data collection and utilisation. Without consistent, granular and timely data, ICBs and providers cannot reliably commission, plan, or improve palliative and …
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National palliative and end of life care data provide valuable insight into patterns of healthcare use and location of death, however the evidence presented demonstrates substantial gaps in local data collection and utilisation. Without consistent, granular and timely data, ICBs and providers cannot reliably commission, plan, or improve palliative and end of life services in line with their population needs. (Conclusion, Paragraph 51)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of data, noting NHS England is strengthening expectations and providing tools. From April 2026, ICBs are expected to use comprehensive data for commissioning, and the MSF will set clearer expectations for data use and accountability.
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Department of Health and Social Care
12
Recommendation
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
We urge the department to mandate ICBs to maintain a fully populated palliative and end of life care dashboard that is actively used for commissioning, service planning, quality improvement, and inequality monitoring across their local system. (Recommendation, Paragraph 52)
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We urge the department to mandate ICBs to maintain a fully populated palliative and end of life care dashboard that is actively used for commissioning, service planning, quality improvement, and inequality monitoring across their local system. (Recommendation, Paragraph 52)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees and states that from April 2026, ICBs are expected to use comprehensive data and a palliative and end-of-life care dashboard for commissioning, service planning, and monitoring, with a goal to embed its active use.
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Department of Health and Social Care
13
Conclusion
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
Poor data sharing and lack of integration across NHS, social care, voluntary and private providers creates confusion, delays and gaps in continuity for people at the end of life, frequently placing the burden of coordination care on patients and carers during what is an extremely emotional and challenging period. Despite …
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Poor data sharing and lack of integration across NHS, social care, voluntary and private providers creates confusion, delays and gaps in continuity for people at the end of life, frequently placing the burden of coordination care on patients and carers during what is an extremely emotional and challenging period. Despite existing systems for data sharing, inconsistent uptake, poor interoperability and limited outcome-level information reduce effectiveness. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of integrated palliative care and outlines plans for a Single Patient Record to bring together patient information across health and social care. They will introduce legislation to enable all providers, including private and voluntary sectors, to contribute to and …
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Department of Health and Social Care
14
Recommendation
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
If the Government intends for the introduction of the Single Patient Record to address concerns about a lack of service integration for palliative and end of life care, then this record must be available to all providers—including social care, the voluntary sector and private providers. The Government should also set …
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If the Government intends for the introduction of the Single Patient Record to address concerns about a lack of service integration for palliative and end of life care, then this record must be available to all providers—including social care, the voluntary sector and private providers. The Government should also set out in its response to this Report how it will use the introduction of the Single Patient Record to drive integration across different types of providers. (Recommendation, Paragraph 56) 37 Workforce
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Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation and will bring forward legislation to enable all health and social care providers, including private and voluntary sectors, to contribute to and access the Single Patient Record as the program develops.
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Department of Health and Social Care
15
Conclusion
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
Generalist staff, who provide most end of life care, often lack the skills, confidence and specialist support required to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. Despite existing initiatives, a clearer, system-wide approach to upskilling the generalist workforce is urgently needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63)
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Generalist staff, who provide most end of life care, often lack the skills, confidence and specialist support required to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. Despite existing initiatives, a clearer, system-wide approach to upskilling the generalist workforce is urgently needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63)
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Government response AI summary
The government is committed to training staff, noting an existing career pathway and core capabilities framework developed by NHS England, and is working to commission QiSS modules with funding and places planned for March 2027/28 to upskill the generalist workforce.
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Department of Health and Social Care
20
Recommendation
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
The Government must hold ICBs to account for delivering bereavement services. This does not need to wait for the forthcoming Modern Service Framework as there are already clearly defined expectations for what ICBs should deliver in this area. In its response to this Report, we ask that the Department sets …
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The Government must hold ICBs to account for delivering bereavement services. This does not need to wait for the forthcoming Modern Service Framework as there are already clearly defined expectations for what ICBs should deliver in this area. In its response to this Report, we ask that the Department sets out how it will monitor ICBs’ current delivery of bereavement services, and what steps will be taken with ICBs that do not deliver an acceptable level of service. (Recommendation, Paragraph 76) Hospices
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees in principle on the importance of robust bereavement services and states that oversight mechanisms are already in place to hold ICBs accountable, but there are currently no plans to further monitor current delivery beyond existing arrangements.
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Department of Health and Social Care
21
Recommendation
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
Hospices form an integral part of palliative and end of life care provision at home and in the community and we welcome the fact that the Government intends for them to play a bigger role as part of its shift to neighbourhood health. However, if the Government want hospices to …
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Hospices form an integral part of palliative and end of life care provision at home and in the community and we welcome the fact that the Government intends for them to play a bigger role as part of its shift to neighbourhood health. However, if the Government want hospices to deliver a universal and equitable service, this must be matched with additional resources. We were unconvinced by the Government’s argument that this will be addressed simply by improving the data that ICBs have access to. (Conclusion, Paragraph 83)
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees hospices are vital and will use the MSF to support a move towards sustainable and predictable funding models for them. ICBs are asked to transition to sustainable contracting of hospice services, including moving away from short-term grant funding for adult hospices by …
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Department of Health and Social Care
22
Recommendation
6th Report - Palliative Care
Accepted
We recommend that the Government moves towards sustainable and predictable models of funding for hospices, financing their running as well as investment costs, which reflects the increasingly central role they will play in delivering end of life care. This funding should be accompanied by conditions that require hospices to play …
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We recommend that the Government moves towards sustainable and predictable models of funding for hospices, financing their running as well as investment costs, which reflects the increasingly central role they will play in delivering end of life care. This funding should be accompanied by conditions that require hospices to play a greater role in actively addressing inequalities in access to their services. (Recommendation, Paragraph 84) 39
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees to move towards sustainable and predictable funding models for hospices, using the MSF to support ICBs in reviewing commissioning and contracting. ICBs are asked to move to sustainable contracting, with a shift away from short-term grant funding for adult hospices by 2027/28, …
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Department of Health and Social Care