VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Palliative Care

Asked by Sir Julian SmithConservativeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 18 March 2026UIN 120332

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to embed palliative care in neighbourhood health services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative care and end-of-life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

Those at the end of life are highlighted in the recently published Neighbourhood Health Framework as a high-priority cohort, making services more convenient, joined-up, personalised, and based around the person. The framework is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neighbourhood-health-framework/neighbourhood-health-framework

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim