Select committee: Health and Social Care Committee
Conclusion 1
6th Report - Palliative Care
Published 24 Mar 2026
Addressed to Department of Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care Committee Palliative Care All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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
From: Health and Social Care Committee, 6th Report - Palliative Care (HC 1763), 24 March 2026
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 19 June 2026 (deadline 24 May 2026).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government labels its response to each of the ten recommendations as accept, partially accept or reject, accepting most, including that of accountability arrangements for the Modern Service Framework, and rejecting two.
- On accountability, it accepts the recommendation and says arrangements will be developed with the National Quality Board, with the full Modern Service Framework due for publication in "Autumn 2026".
- It rejects the recommendation to reconsider removing local authority representation from ICBs, saying the current arrangement is "confusing and ineffective" and that collaboration will be at place level through health and wellbeing boards.
- It rejects implementing a 90% Palliative Care Register target, noting there is no formal target but describing it as "a stretch target that we would like to achieve by 2029". It is "considering the target and metrics" as it develops the full MSF.
- It partially accepts the workforce recommendation, stating "it would not be right to set targets for staffing" and that it is "not for the Government to mandate a defined set of competencies". It is "planning to have funding and places ready for March 2027/28" for the palliative care qualification modules.