The UK government has announced a significant overhaul of end-of-life care, designed to give people greater choice over where they die. The reforms aim to ensure that more individuals can spend their final moments in the comfort of their own homes, rather than in hospital wards.
Ending the Postcode Lottery in Palliative Care
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock is set to detail the new strategy in a speech at the Hospice UK conference on Tuesday, the 24th of November 2025. He will declare an end to the 'postcode lottery' on end-of-life care, promising a more consistent and compassionate service across the country.
Mr Kinnock stated that access to high-quality palliative care can make a profound difference for patients and their loved ones during the most challenging times. The government's new 'neighbourhood health' plan will foster closer collaboration between community teams, hospice outreach staff, care homes, and paramedics.
A New Framework for Community Support
The core of the plan involves creating shared care plans to prevent people from being automatically taken to A&E during their final days. Rapid response teams will be deployed to help manage symptoms like pain at home, and enhanced community-based advice and support will be made available.
The government asserts that this joined-up approach will directly address the current problem where a lack of coordination between the NHS, community services, and charities often leads to patients being admitted to hospital against their wishes, sometimes repeatedly.
Charity Response and Funding Concerns
The plan has been welcomed by leading charities, though they stress the urgent need for proper funding. Matthew Reed, chief executive of Marie Curie, said, 'Too many people are dying in pain, frightened and without support, and too many families are left to cope alone... This must change.' He described the announcement as a vital step but emphasised that promises must now become action.
Toby Porter, chief executive of Hospice UK, also welcomed the government's commitment but issued a clear warning. 'We must now move quickly. The framework must deliver fair funding for hospice services this year,' he said. He added that with better funding, hospices could deliver the expanded community-based services the government envisions, thereby relieving pressure on hospitals.
The government will outline a 'modern service framework', placing a duty on Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to ensure end-of-life and palliative care services are of a higher and more consistent quality. The final version of this framework is scheduled for publication in the Spring of 2026.
