Skip to main content

Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Friday, 11 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 July 2025. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Palliative Care: Access

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the 10-Year Plan for Health delivers equitable access to (a) palliative and (b) end of life care across all communities.

Answer

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

One of the three shifts that the 10-Year Health Plan will deliver is the shift of healthcare from the hospital into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting. Palliative care and end of life care services will have a big role to play in that shift and were highlighted in the plan as being an integral part of neighbourhood teams.

I have tasked officials to look at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all- age palliative and end of life care, in line with the 10-Year Health Plan.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
66914
Session
2024-26
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2025-0460
Monday, 7 July 2025
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Access Palliative care
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk