Overview

This bill grants patients with terminal illnesses the right to choose where they receive palliative care, aiming to ensure access to high-quality care in their preferred setting (hospital, hospice, care home, or their own home).

Description

The Palliative Care Bill establishes a patient's right to request palliative care in their preferred location: an NHS hospital, hospice, care home, or their own home. Medical practitioners must submit these requests to a designated NHS body. This NHS body must make reasonable efforts to fulfill these requests, considering the needs of other patients. The Secretary of State will create regulations setting standards for palliative care in each location, defining responsibilities, and mandating cooperation between various healthcare providers (NHS bodies, social services, local authorities, and voluntary organizations). The bill also requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance on the financial aspects of providing palliative care, aiming to facilitate funding transfers to support patient choices.

Key Definitions

The bill defines "palliative care," "specialist in palliative care," "specialist in palliative medicine," and "terminal illness." It specifies which NHS bodies are included within the scope of the bill.

Government Spending

The bill states that any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State under the Act, and any increase in sums payable under other Acts due to this Act, will be paid from money provided by Parliament. No specific figures are provided within the bill text itself.

Groups Affected

• Patients with terminal illnesses: Gain the right to choose their preferred location for palliative care.
• Medical practitioners: Responsible for submitting patient requests to the appropriate NHS body.
• NHS bodies: Responsible for fulfilling requests, coordinating care, and adhering to new standards and regulations.
• Hospices, care homes, and voluntary organizations: May see increased demand for their services.
• Social services and local authorities: Will be required to cooperate in the provision of palliative care.
• UK Government (Secretary of State): Responsible for creating regulations and guidance on financial arrangements.

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