DHSC has commissioned Skills for Care to update the End-of-Life Care Core Skills Education and Training Framework, first published in 2017, which employers and education providers use to devise qualifications, training and education programmes, develop job descriptions and role profiles and design new services. The charity is working with Skills for Health to facilitate the review process.  

A multi-professional, multi-sector expert reference group has completed phase 1 of the review and is now inviting representations from a range of stakeholders ahead of the framework's publication in the spring.

Sherree Fagge, deputy director of nursing for palliative care and end of life care at NHS England and chair of the expert reference group, said: 'The review of this framework has been commissioned by DHSC to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and continues to reflect best practice in the delivery of care for adults at the end of their life.

'With the initial phase of the review complete, this online consultation will give people working across health, adult social care, public and voluntary services, as well as people receiving end-of-life care, their carers and families, an opportunity to contribute to the review and revision of the final framework.'

Rosemarie Simpson, who is leading the review for Skills for Health, added: ‘The End-of-Life Care Core Skills Education and Training Framework supports a standardised training offer that is operationally relevant.

‘This review will ensure that the framework remains up to date and is relevant to and reflective of the skills and knowledge that the workforce requires to provide high-quality, compassionate personalised palliative and end-of-life care.'

The consultation is open until Friday 30 January.