In its response to the Health and Social Care Committee's recent report, the Government pledged the forthcoming Modern Service Framework (MSF) will ‘provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including narrowing inequality and reducing unwarranted variation'.

The Government added it was it is ‘committed' to improving access to 24/7 services throughout the country, adding this will be supported by the forthcoming MSF and workforce plan. 

A positive response was also given regarding the cross-party committee's recommendations to improve accountability and the Government agreed social care and contracted third sector organisations should have access to the single patient record.

Health and Social Care Committee chair Layla Moran, said: ‘A sentiment shared by MPs across the political divides is that, shockingly, palliative and end of life care services fail too many people, right at the point when patients' physical and emotional pain can be at their most acute. This is particularly true of services for children and young people – they and their families deserve the best of the NHS in their time of need. 

‘The Government has set a lot of store on its upcoming Modern Service Framework, and it has now has a lot to deliver on, but we welcome many of the responses DHSC has provided. Stronger accountability for failure to provide effective and compassionate palliative care will need to be addressed and we shouldn't tolerate a system where going to A&E is the default substitute for a lack of 24/7 services.'