Overview

The Access to Palliative Care Bill aims to ensure everyone in England with life-limiting illnesses has equal access to high-quality palliative care services. It mandates improvements in service provision, training for healthcare professionals, and research into palliative care advancements.

Description

This bill places a duty on Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to provide comprehensive palliative care services. This includes:

• Guaranteed access: Ensuring access to pain and symptom management, support aligning with patient preferences, advance care planning, and information about their condition.
• Service provision: Making specialist palliative care services available in various settings (homes, hospitals, hospices, care homes), including direct hospice admissions. Services must operate seven days a week with sufficient staff, equipment, and 24/7 telephone advice.
• Integrated care: CCGs must collaborate to provide seamless and integrated care.
• Training and education: Health Education England must mandate training for healthcare professionals covering pain management, communication skills, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and supporting families and carers. This training must be incorporated into university and vocational courses.
• Research: The bill encourages participation in research to advance palliative care practices.
• Care Quality Commission (CQC): The CQC will evaluate palliative care provision during service inspections.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for increased government spending. However, implementing the requirements (staffing, equipment, training, service expansion) will likely necessitate increased funding for the NHS and social care services.

Groups Affected

• People with life-limiting illnesses: Will benefit from improved access to and quality of palliative care services.
• Families and carers: Will receive better support and involvement in care decisions.
• Healthcare professionals: Will undergo mandatory training, potentially leading to increased workload but also improved skills and knowledge.
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs): Will have new responsibilities for commissioning and overseeing palliative care services.
• NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers: Will need to adapt their services and practices to meet the bill's requirements.
• Hospices and care homes: May experience increased demand for services.

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