Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 July 2026. It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Monday, 6 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Palliative Care: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has regarding the commissioning of children's palliative care services at a national or a regional level.

Answer

Earlier this year, NHS England wrote to all integrated care boards (ICBs) requesting an update on the financial stability of hospices in their footprint and the steps being taken to mitigate risks, as a matter of urgency. We have now repeated this exercise, also triangulating data received from independent hospices via Hospice UK. This has provided ministers and NHS England with a clear up-to-date national picture of any hospices at risk of closure or significant service reductions, and the potential impact on patients, families, and the wider health care system. NHS England will continue to support ICBs where risks are identified.

We are providing approximately £80 million of revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices over three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29, giving them the stability they need to plan ahead.

We are developing a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for palliative care and end-of-life care and recently published an interim update on the MSF in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement, accompanied by a letter containing further information for interested parties. I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement HCWS88, which I gave to the House on 4 June 2026.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13959
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Children Palliative care
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk