Hospice UK welcomes amendment to the Health and Care Bill

This new amendment is a fantastic step forward in changing that situation, by ensuring for the first time that those who lead our healthcare system are legally required to consider palliative care.

Craig Duncan, Hospice UK interim CEO

The news comes following months of work alongside fellow end of life charities, including Marie Curie, Sue Ryder, Together for Short Lives and Alzheimer’s Society, calling for changes to be made to the Health and Care Bill to ensure palliative care is properly recognised and commissioned by Integrated Care Boards.

Craig Duncan, Hospice UK interim CEO said: "The pandemic has shown us that how we die, where, and with what support is of the highest importance. It is absolutely right that palliative care services are put on the same footing as other areas of healthcare, such as maternity and dental services, and we warmly welcome the Government's amendment to the Health and Care Bill to do just that in England.

"Hospices provide world class care to hundreds of thousands of dying people every year, but the way their services are commissioned and funded has remained fragile and complex for many years.

"That means that 1 in 4 people who could benefit are still missing out on the high quality care they should expect as they die. Those people will disproportionately be from groups including people of colour, LGBT+ communities and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. It's an injustice.

"This new amendment is a fantastic step forward in changing that situation, by ensuring for the first time that those who lead our healthcare system are legally required to consider palliative care. We look forward to continuing to work with our friends at Marie Curie, Sue Ryder, Together for Short Lives and the Alzheimer's Society to make end of life care fair for everyone."