Palliative and End of Life Care Commission calls for written submissions

Jan 14th, 2025

Houses of Parliament. Image: ICN/JS

The Palliative and End of Life Care Commission have launched a call for written submissions ahead of their first oral evidence session, on Wednesday 22nd January in Parliament.

The request for written submissions was made by the chair Professor Sir Mike Richards, who alongside Rachael Maskell MP and Baroness Finlay of Llandaff are spearheading the review into palliative and end of life care in the UK.

The Commission, established last year, is keen to hear from doctors, hospitals, hospices, charities, disability rights organisations, and those with experience of palliative and end of life care, as they look at the significant challenges facing the sector, including financial difficulties, shortfalls in provision and access and problems in recruiting and retaining staff.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, commented: "I am delighted to have been invited to chair this important and independent commission. I led the development of the first end of life care strategy for England in 2008, but I have not been involved in this area in recent years. I am therefore very keen to assess the current state of palliative and end of life care in the UK and for the commission to make recommendations on how provision can be improved."

The Commission is also seeking evidence from other countries to identify models of best practice to identify a long-term basis for the sector to ensure British people can access the care they need at the end of life.

It's work has already been welcomed by the Government. Last week Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, told Parliament that he, "… welcomed Rachael Maskell's independent commission on palliative and end of life care and look forward to seeing its findings and recommendations"

In yesterday's Backbench Business debate on Hospices and Palliative Care, Danny Kruger MP for East Wiltshire expressed, "I pay tribute to the hon. Member for York Central (Rachael Maskell), and to Baroness Finlay in the other place. They are leading a review of palliative care, with a view to coming forward soon with recommendations for the Government on how to improve the system."

Following the analysis of research and evidence gathered by the Commission, a report will be written and presented to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, service commissioners, clinicians and the public.

Please send all enquiries to Grace Hawkins - secretariat@palliativecarecommission.uk

The Commission was established on Wednesday 11th December in Parliament.

The commissioners are:

Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham (Former Health Minister who led the government commissioned independent investigation of the NHS in summer 2024)

Prof Irene Higginson, Founder of Cicely Saunders Institute, clinician

Prof Martin Green, Social Care academic, Care England

Dame Caroline Swift, British barrister and former High Court judge

Prof. Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Professor of Palliative Medicine

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, Disability Rights spokesperson

Clare Fuller, Speak for Me

Prof Bee Wee, Clinician, previous NHS England palliative care lead

Dr. Sarah Cox, Association for Palliative Medicine of GB and Ireland