Transforming Palliative and End-of-Life Care in the UK: A Vision for a Compassionate Future

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life.” – Dame Cicely Saunders

The UK is facing an urgent and growing challenge in delivering high-quality palliative and end-of-life care to a rising population with complex, long-term conditions. A new report by the Commission on Palliative and End-of-Life Carehighlights critical gaps in the current system and outlines bold, evidence-based recommendations to ensure that every individual receives dignified, compassionate care—wherever they are and whenever they need it.

Palliative care for children represents a small, highly specialised area of healthcare that is distinct from—but closely related to—adult palliative care. It is estimated that around 170,000 children in need of palliative care die each year.

Why We Must Act Now

• Over 660,000 people will die in the UK in 2025, rising to 790,000 by 2040.

• An estimated 75–90% of those who die could benefit from palliative care—yet only around half currently receive it.

• Most people express a preference to die at home, but many still die in hospital, often without adequate support for themselves or their families.

• Emergency admissions, prolonged hospital stays, and delayed symptom relief are common due to fragmented services and a lack of timely access to appropriate support.

  
  

Three Major Shifts Needed in the NHS

The Commission’s vision is aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan and advocates for three key transformations:

1. From Crisis to Prevention

Early access to palliative care improves quality of life, reduces suffering, and saves NHS resources. Evidence shows that just three months of specialist palliative care can significantly improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

2. From Hospital to Community

Care provided in the community is both more cost-effective and better aligned with people’s preferences. However, 81% of end-of-life funding is still spent on hospital care, while less than 4% goes towards hospice care. Redirecting focus towards neighbourhood teams, rapid response services, and home-based support is crucial.

3. From Analogue to Digital

A modern, interoperable digital infrastructure is essential. Shared care plans and real-time symptom monitoring—accessible across the NHS, hospices, care homes, and emergency services—can dramatically improve coordination, responsiveness, and outcomes.

10 Key Recommendations to Revolutionise Care

1. Develop a National Strategy with clear responsibilities, standards, and dedicated funding across health and social care.

2. Guarantee 24/7 Specialist Palliative Care in every community, integrated with generalist services.

3. Ensure Rapid Response Access to medication, equipment, and specialist advice—particularly out of hours.

4. Train All Health & Social Care Staff in the principles of compassionate, competent palliative care.

5. Create Dual Accreditation Pathways for GPs and formally recognise prior experience to increase workforce capacity.

6. Fund Research and Innovation to assess the effectiveness of community-based models and digital tools.

7. Support Informal Carers with training, bereavement support, and formal recognition of their vital role.

8. Integrate Data Systems to facilitate seamless communication and tracking of outcomes.

9. Promote Open Communication, empowering patients to plan their care and express their wishes clearly.

10. Raise Public Awareness of palliative care as holistic, life-affirming support—not just a response to imminent death.

    
    

A Call to Compassion and Action

This report makes one thing unmistakably clear: palliative care is not a luxury—it is a universal right. As the UK population ages and chronic illnesses become more prevalent, the need for a joined-up, well-funded, and compassionate system of care will only grow more pressing.

We must not wait for a crisis. Now is the time for leaders, care providers, communities, and families to come together to ensure that every individual—regardless of their background or diagnosis—can live, and die, with dignity, support, and peace.

💡 Learn More

Download the full Better End of Life Commission Report or explore how your organisation can help improve the delivery of palliative care in your local area.