25 Rejected

The NAO report describes how independent hospices offer additional services that are typically outside the...

Conclusion
The NAO report describes how independent hospices offer additional services that are typically outside the remit of the NHS, for example certain complementary therapies, funded from hospices’ charitable donations. Hospices offer support to the family, friends and carers of those receiving palliative and end-of-life care, for example through counselling and bereavement support. Many hospices provide training in palliative and end-of-life care to a broad range of healthcare professionals, including to the NHS, and some hospices undertake clinical research.57
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the committee's observation regarding the additional services and broader contributions of independent hospices. However, the response details ongoing work with hospice charities, the development of the MSF to consider innovation and strategic commissioning, and substantial capital and revenue funding for the hospice sector, which implies an acknowledgement of their value.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government Rejected
The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. The government and NHS England 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. Furthermore, the MSF will also consider high-potential innovation, where we anticipate significant progress being possible in the next ten years and an account of how we plan to work with others, including the independent hospice sector, to develop, adopt and spread innovation. The MSF will support the shift to the strategic commissioning, based on the integrated needs assessment completed by the ICB which focuses on the needs of patients, rather than providers. This supports the move to services, including those provided by hospices, being effectively 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. Furthermore, the government is supporting the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices, to ensure the best physical environment for care, and are also providing around £80 million revenue funding for children and young people’s hospices over the next three financial years.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.4 yrs
Report published 18 Mar 2026