Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a designated out of hours palliative care advice line in every region.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. ICBs are responsible for commissioning of palliative and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supporting commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

The statutory guidance produced by NHS England on palliative and end of life care makes specific reference to commissioners defining how their services will meet population needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and includes a priority action for ensuring that staff, patients, and carers can access the care and advice they need, whatever time of day. Regional NHS England teams continue to liaise with ICBs to ensure these commissioning arrangements are in place. Expert strategic networks in the regions provide an opportunity to share good practice around improving access and quality of palliative care and end of life care.

I will be meeting with the major hospice and palliative and end of life care stakeholders in February 2025 to discuss potential solutions on longer-term sector sustainability which will inform our 10-Year Health Plan.