13
Rejected
The Department and NHS England told us about the ‘Modern Service Framework’ they are currently...
Recommendation
The Department and NHS England told us about the ‘Modern Service Framework’ they are currently developing, which they intend will bring together disparate elements of the system and will set out what “good” commissioning for palliative and end-of-life care looks like.24 17 C&AG’s Report, para 3; Marie Curie (AHE0018) 18 AHE0004 (AHE0004); Dr Becky Ogundele , Dr Sarah Longwell, Dr Emily Holdsworth, Dr Liam Gabb, Dr Alex Oyon , Dr Anna Grundy, Dr Iain Murphy, and Dr Alice Gray (AHE0006); Sue Ryder (AHE0015) 19 Qq 10, 34 and 69 20 Lancashire South Cumbria Hospices Together, Pendleside Hospice (AHE0008); Gianina Caballero (AHE0016) 21 Qq 39-42 22 Qq 19-20 23 Qq 7 and 40 24 Qq 31, 45 and 49 11 However, they were vague on detail of the contents of the framework, and we are concerned, as is the sector, that this may prove to be another ambition that is not delivered.25
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejects the recommendation to publish a fully costed delivery plan alongside the Modern Service Framework (MSF). While it will include a delivery plan as part of the MSF, it does not commit to it being fully costed.
Government Response
Rejected
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
2.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 2.2 Whilst the government agrees that DHSC and NHS England should work with, and take on board, the views of the hospice sector as part of the development of the (modern service) framework (see para 2.3), it does not agree that they should develop and publish a fully costed delivery plan alongside the (modern service) framework (see para 2.4). 2.3 The government and NHS England agree that the MSF development should include the views of the hospice sector and are working closely with Hospice UK, Marie Curie, Sue Ryder and Together for Short Lives to ensure the views of hospices are gathered and considered at every stage of the MSF development. Stakeholder engagement, including those representing the hospice sector, is running throughout the MSF development. Thus far, officials have worked with stakeholders to develop a working long-term outcome goal (‘moonshot’), an evidence-based listed of interventions and the core components required for the interventions. Progress on the delivery of the MSF will be determined using time-bound measures, which will act as a catalyst to improved data collection across services and experience. 2.4 A delivery plan will be part of the MSF, which will support the shift to the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end-of-life care, based on the integrated needs assessment completed by the ICB. This supports effective and equitable use of resources on services commissioned and contracted at a local level to meet identified population needs now and in the future. The MSF will provide direction on the evidenced-based interventions that improve outcomes for patients, families and carers. Value for money will be an important consideration in the inclusion of the evidence-based interventions that will support the effective use of resources.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
73rd Report - Financial sustainability of adult hospices in England
18 Mar 2026
HC 1236
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
18 Mar 2026