24 June 2026
Government commits to modern services framework on 24/7 palliative care
The news
The government published its response on 19 June 2026 to a House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee report on palliative care services for children and young people. It stated it is committed to publishing a modern services framework on palliative care to improve access, quality and sustainability of all-age palliative care. The response also said the government will provide guidance on 24/7 provision of palliative care.
What's at stake
Palliative care provides medical and emotional support to patients at the end of their lives. The framework would set national standards for access, quality and sustainability across England. The March 2026 report examined services for children and young people as part of a wider government palliative care inquiry.
The response notes that 24/7 provision is not covered by the terms of service requirements for community pharmacies that provide NHS services. Local integrated care boards can already commission out-of-hours dispensing where needed for patients to access medicines outside core pharmacy hours.
The case for
A national framework would raise standards and guarantee round-the-clock access. It would set consistent expectations for providers across England and ensure patients of all ages can receive medicines and support at any time. The commitment follows evidence from the March 2026 report that highlighted gaps in current arrangements for children and young people.
The case against
Local commissioning already meets need without new central rules. Integrated care boards can and do commission out-of-hours dispensing where local demand exists. Adding a national framework could duplicate existing arrangements and impose uniform requirements where flexible local solutions are already in place.
Why it matters now
Publication of the framework would introduce national guidance on 24/7 palliative care. If the government does not proceed, existing local commissioning arrangements would continue without additional central direction. The next step is the release of the promised modern services framework following the June 2026 response.
Further reading
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