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Written question asked by Uma Kumaran (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 October 2025. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Thursday, 16 October 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Hospices: Equality

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the implementation of the 10 Year Health Plan will help tackle inequalities in the commissioning of hospice services.

Answer

We know that there are inequalities in access to palliative care and end of life care and we are looking at how best to reduce these. The Department and NHS England are currently looking at how to improve the access, quality, and sustainability of all-age palliative care and end of life care in line with the 10-Year Health Plan.

We will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to ensure that services reduce variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.

Officials will present further proposals to ministers over the coming months, outlining the drivers and incentives that are required in palliative care and end of life care to enable the shift from hospital to community, including as part of neighbourhood health teams.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
77876
Session
2024-26
Related items
Fit for the Future: The 10 Year Health Plan for England
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Equality Health Hospices
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk