14 Rejected

The Department and NHS England are aiming to launch the framework later this year in...

Conclusion
The Department and NHS England are aiming to launch the framework later this year in the autumn. However, we are concerned that it will still take time for ICBs to change their commissioning arrangements, a concern reiterated by Sue Ryder who wrote to use after the January session.26 The sector representatives were supportive of the framework but highlighted that it would require investment to implement, and there appeared to be no new funding attached to it. They also told us that if there was no additional funding before the new financial year, some hospices will have reduced capacity and services by the time the framework launches.27 Commissioning palliative and end-of-life care
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the committee's concerns, specifically rejecting the development and publication of a fully costed delivery plan alongside the Modern Service Framework (MSF). It states a delivery plan will be part of the MSF, focusing on effective and equitable use of existing resources without committing new funding.
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.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.4 yrs
Report published 18 Mar 2026