Overview

This bill aims to improve palliative care for terminally ill individuals in England and Wales, focusing on better integration of services, support for those over 60, and assistance for their carers. It mandates reporting on progress and cooperation between various public bodies and hospices.

Description

The bill introduces several key measures: A duty for the Secretary of State to promote comprehensive palliative care, requiring annual reports to Parliament detailing progress on integrating services, supporting those over 60, identifying those needing care, and improving public understanding. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are tasked with assessing local needs, providing services, collaborating with hospices and voluntary organizations, and publishing data on service delivery times. The bill also provides for information to be sent to carers of terminally ill individuals about claiming carer's allowance, covering several qualifying benefits. Finally, the bill defines key terms such as "community care services," "clinical commissioning group," and "hospice," ensuring consistent interpretation.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, implementation will likely require increased resources for service integration, data collection, and potentially expanded support services for carers, resulting in some level of increased government expenditure. The exact cost will depend on the scale and nature of the improvements implemented.

Groups Affected

• Terminally ill individuals (especially those over 60): Will potentially benefit from improved access to and quality of palliative care.
• Carers of terminally ill individuals: Will receive information on claiming carer's allowance, potentially improving their financial support.
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs): Will be responsible for implementing the bill's requirements, which may involve increased workload and resource allocation.
• Hospices and voluntary sector providers: Will be involved in the delivery of palliative care and may see increased collaboration with CCGs.
• Local authorities and NHS organizations: Will need to work together to integrate services as the bill mandates.

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