In a healthcare system under increasing pressure, can a palliative care commission drive meaningful change?

Abstract

In November 2024, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed in the UK House of Commons by a majority of 330 to 275. One key consensus in the debates surrounding the bill was that while palliative care in the UK can be excellent, its provision and funding are often inconsistent, inadequate, and must be improved. In response, a commission on palliative care has been established by Rachael Maskell MP to drive improvements in palliative and end-of-life care in the UK. More recently the Expert Panel of the parliamentary Health and Social Care Committee has announced it is undertaking an independent evaluation of the state of palliative care in England. The 1946 NHS Act established a health service focused on improving physical and mental health and treating illness. This wording led many to assume that palliative care, which puts the person and their concerns before their illness, was excluded. It was not until the 2022 Health and Care Act that palliative care, along with care after illness, was introduced as a requirement. Despite the UK’s pioneering role, the provision, quality, and outcomes of palliative care remains inconsistent. Many people, along with their families who provide crucial support, miss out on …