Each of the four UK nations has policies and guidance that set out the expectations for palliative and end of life care (PEoLC).
Hospices need to be familiar with these documents so they can understand what is required of them as part of their local health and care system, as well as the local priorities in planning, designing and funding PEoLC services across providers.
There is also a Handbook for Integrated Care Boards which provides advice and examples for commissioners implementing the statutory guidance (to access this handbook you will need to register for an account on the Future NHS platform and join the national PEoLC workspace).
This is accompanied by a suite of technical guidance on commissioning and funding approaches for PEoLC services which can be accessed on the Future NHS platform (to access this guidance you will need to join the national PEoLC workspace).
In June 2023 we sent a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to the 42 ICBs in England. There were 10 questions regarding PEoLC strategy, governance, shared care records, and hospice funding. All 42 ICBs responded. Our briefing summarises our findings.
The End of Life Care Partners Think Tank has published a booklet sharing examples of good practice to help with the implementation of this guidance.
In 2020, the Local Government Association (LGA) published an End of Life Care Guide for councils. This reiterates the importance of good end of life care provision and highlights the integral role that councils have to play in ensuring it.
Palliative and End of Life Care
Northern Ireland’s strategy for adult palliative and end of life care (PEoLC) is Living Matters Dying Matters. This is a five-year plan that was written in 2010.
The Scottish Government began work at the end of 2022 to develop a new strategy for palliative and end of life care in Scotland. The work is being led by Scotland’s National Clinical Lead for Palliative Care, and is supported by a strategy steering group and stakeholder reference group. The development of the new strategy is expected to last about a year.
The Strategic Framework for Action was the Scottish Government’s previous end of life care strategy. Published in 2015, it set out a five-year vision, outcomes and ten commitments to support improvements in the delivery of palliative and end of life care across Scotland.
An advice note on Palliative and End of Life Care provides guidance for Health and Social Care Partnerships about developing strategic commissioning plans for palliative and end of life care services.
In 2021 the Welsh Government gave a written update on PEoLC. Phase 2 of the funding review for hospices was completed in 2022, however the recommendations have not been implemented.
During the summer of 2022, the Welsh Government consulted on a new Quality Statement for Palliative and End of Life Care, which was published in October 2022. It sets out the framework and expectations for PEoLC service delivery and impact.
The National Programme Board for Palliative and End of Life Care ensures clinical and strategic oversight of PEoLC across the country. Hospice UK and Welsh hospices are well represented on this Board.
