Hospice UK responds to Health Committee's Expert Panel report

The Health and Social Care Committee's Expert Panel have published their evaluation of palliative care in England. 

In response, Katie Reade, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Hospice UK says: “We welcome this report, which brings forward yet more evidence of the scale of the crisis in palliative and end of life care and the impact it has on dying people and their loved ones. It lays bare the inconsistency and inequity in how care is commissioned and delivered – as well as the lack of funding. 

“The report rightly highlights how current funding approaches act as a barrier to shifting more care into the community. Hospices are experts in supporting people who are dying closer to home. But, with 2 in 5 hospices making cuts, time is running out to provide these services with the urgent support they need. 

“The Modern Service Framework announced by the Government last week presents an opportunity to firmly tackle the challenges set out in this report. We look forward to working with Government to make sure hospice services can be there for everyone who needs them.”