Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP has stepped up his work in Parliament to secure better palliative and end‑of‑life care for people across the country, tabling four written questions to the Department of Health and Social Care. His efforts focused on improving training, expanding support, strengthening commissioning, and ensuring families receive help whenever they need it.
In response to his question on how palliative care can be embedded within neighbourhood health services the Government confirmed that every Integrated Care Board is already required to commission palliative care as part of its core responsibilities. Ministers stated that this is supported by statutory guidance designed to ensure greater consistency nationwide, and that people at the end of life are formally recognised as a priority group within the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework, which aims to make services more personalised and locally responsive.
Julian also sought assurances that palliative and end‑of‑life care would be included within compulsory training for health and care professionals. The Government made clear that the UK’s independent regulatory bodies set training standards requiring professionals to demonstrate the necessary skills to deliver high‑quality end‑of‑life care. It also highlighted NHS England’s national e‑learning programme, designed to support both staff and volunteers in providing personalised end‑of‑life support.
Two further questions pressed Ministers on the benefits of a 24/7 end‑of‑life care advice line. Responding to Sir Julian’s request for an assessment of its impact on hospital admissions, the Government acknowledged that round‑the‑clock advice can help more people remain at home where appropriate, reducing avoidable admissions. It noted that statutory guidance already encourages commissioners to ensure services can operate 24/7 and that national guidelines expect local systems to consider out‑of‑hours support as part of meeting community needs. The Government also confirmed it is developing a Modern Service Framework that will examine how 24/7 access can be strengthened further.
Julian’s additional question on the wider merits of introducing a 24/7 advice line received the same answer.
Commenting, Julian said, “No one should face the end of life without proper support. I will continue pushing hard to make sure our NHS has the training, the services and the 24/7 advice people need when it matters most."
