3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2026 3.2 Last year, NHS England published a Strategic Commissioning Framework, supporting ICBs to respond effectively to current and future needs of their population, in line with the wider expectation of the Model ICB Blueprint. More specifically, NHS England has also published statutory guidance for palliative care and end-of-life care, as well as service specifications (adults and children and young people). 3.3 The Medium-Term Planning Framework, states that ICBs and relevant NHS providers should ensure an understanding of current and projected total service utilisation and costs, including for those with palliative care and end-of-life care needs and create an overall plan to more effectively manage patient needs effectively manage and significantly reduce avoidable unplanned admissions. 3.4 Guidance on how ICBs move towards effective population health delivery models and commission providers around the needs of defined populations was published alongside the Neighbourhood Health Framework on 17 March 2026. NHS England will work with some ICBs to develop new payment models to support neighbourhood services, including for the high-priority cohorts, including those at end of life. 3.5 The government is developing a Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care MSF, through which we will closely monitor the shift towards strategic commissioning of palliative care and end-of-life care services across all ICBs.