Hospices
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the new framework for the commissioning and funding of hospice services by integrated care boards will be published; and whether it will be in force before 1 April 2027.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock
The Government is developing a Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care, and published an interim update on 4 June 2026 in the form of a Written Ministerial Statement, which is available at the following link:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-06-04/hcws88
The final MSF is due to be published in Autumn 2026 and will embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model centred on clear and transparent contractual arrangements for commissioned palliative care activity across all providers, including hospices, to meet population health needs, with explicit regard to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for underserved and disadvantaged groups.
Work to implement the MSF is already underway. A letter from NHS England’s National Director for Primary Care and Community Services has been issued to systems asking integrated care boards to undertake integrated needs assessments and move towards the sustainable contracting of hospice services. Initially, this will involve moving away from short-term grant funding for adult hospice services from 2027/28. NHS England’s letter is available at the following link:
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