A new report calls for the Modern Service Framework (MSF) later this year to include:

• specific standards for the provision of children and young people's palliative care services
• how it will increase the capacity of the specialist palliative and end of life care workforce as part of the 10 Year Health Plan
• reconsider the decision to remove local authority representation from ICBs; set out how it will monitor ICBs' delivery of bereavement services
• a target for 90% of palliative care patients to be included in the register prior to receiving care
• a more sustainable and predictable model of funding for hospices.

Health and Social Care Committee chair Layla Moran MP said: ‘Under questioning about the Government's plans to drive up standards in palliative care, the minister's answers frequently reverted to what may appear in the forthcoming MSF and NHS workforce plan.  

‘It is welcome that this neglected sector is finally getting renewed attention. But this committee is sceptical of how much store has been set on the MSF, in particular when there has been no indication that additional resources are coming, other than one-off capital investments which will do little to tackle poor recruitment and retention.  

‘We also say that better commissioning of services could come from improved data gathering and early identification, better guidance from the top and joined-up working with adult social care and local authorities. 

‘When the MSF does materialise, we will go over it with a fine-toothed comb and hold ministers and officials to account for how their plans will be put into action.'