Julie Pearce, Chief Nurse, Executive Director of Quality & Caring Services
Published 7 October 2022
We're proud to announce the launch of the ICB Inspire Resource in partnership with over 20 other organisations in palliative and end of life care. We've shared our combined knowledge and expertise to support NHS and local council groups in their duty to provide palliative care services across England.
We maintain that everyone should be able to access the palliative care they need. Yet one in four people don't receive it.
Our ageing population means that demand is only going to increase. By 2040, the number of people who need palliative care is predicted to increase by 42%.
But earlier this year, the Government took a big step in the right direction.
Increasing demand for palliative care
New resource shares examples of innovation in palliative care
A new legal duty to provide palliative care
Marie Curie's Make End of Life Care Fair campaign secured a significant change to the Health and Care Bill. This change made it a legal requirement to provide palliative care in every part of England if local people need it.
This change recognises the importance of palliative and end of life care, putting it on the same footing as maternity services. It's a significant achievement in our mission to make sure everyone is treated with dignity, care and compassion at the end of their life.
But there's still lots of work to do to make this change happen in practice.
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) – groups made up of NHS and local authorities – are responsible for making the change and providing palliative care services across England.
ICBs have a challenging task ahead and have been doing great work since the new structure was announced in July. That's why, alongside our partners, we created this new resource to support them.
How the ICB Inspire Resource will help
The resource aims to support ICBs in their duty to commission equitable, high-quality palliative care across England. It includes examples of best practice in the end of life and palliative and bereavement care sector. We've shared just a few examples.
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The Daffodil Standards is a framework to support GP practices to give the best end of life and bereavement care for their patients.
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IMPaCT is a palliative care service in Liverpool and South Sefton. It makes life easier for adults with a life-limiting, progressive condition by providing one central phone line for advice, support and signposting.
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Soul Midwives lovingly ease the passage of the dying, to ensure that death is a dignified and peaceful experience. They offer a range of gentle therapies to soothe and reassure people who are dying.
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Compassionate Communities is a social movement where local people support others who are affected by dying, death and bereavement. They are networks of volunteers that works alongside formal services.
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Every Setting Homeless is a scheme which gives people experiencing homelessness access to palliative care by working with hostels and other homelessness services.
How the ICB Inspire Resource will help
