A parliamentary report has warned children’s palliative care in England is being affected by staff shortages and a lack of clear national standards.
The Health and Social Care Committee published the report on Tuesday (24th March), describing children’s end-of-life care as facing ‘serious inadequacies’.
The committee said palliative care for children and young people is often underfunded and inconsistent. It called on the government to include clear standards in its forthcoming Modern Service Framework (MSF).
In November 2025, the government announced it was developing a MSF for palliative and end of life care, which is due to be published in spring 2026.
Evidence presented to the committee by its independent expert panel found only a third of consultant-led children’s palliative care teams meet recommended staffing levels, while three-quarters rely on charity funding.
Layla Moran MP, chair of the Committee, said: ‘It feels unthinkable that specialist care services for those who are close to passing away are somehow undervalued in the NHS. And yet that is the heartbreaking reality that too frightened patients and their families, including of young children, have to encounter during some of their most trying moments, when help is most needed.’
She added that ministers frequently referred to the upcoming MSF and NHS workforce plans when questioned about raising palliative care standards.
‘It is welcome that this neglected sector is finally getting renewed attention,’ Moran said. ‘But this committee is sceptical of how much store has been set on the MSF, in particular when there has been no indication that additional resources are coming, other than one-off capital investments which will do little to tackle poor recruitment and retention.’
The report, which can be read in full here, found less than half of local integrated care boards provide 24/7 support, despite guidance recommending that patients have access to a healthcare professional at any time.
It also highlighted gaps in social care provision. Around half of end-of-life patients receive social care, while 22% die in care homes and 28% die at home. MPs warned removing council representatives from integrated care boards could reduce local input and make planning less coordinated.
Leaked details of the government’s 10-year health plan in June 2025 suggested that elected mayors or their delegates may replace council members on integrated boards.
Bereavement support was also criticised as patchy. The report said around 10% of bereaved people experience long-lasting grief, and services are often difficult to access, particularly for young people and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Funding for hospices was described as inconsistent, creating what MPs called a ‘postcode lottery’. The committee called for reliable funding, more trained staff and better use of the palliative care register, with a target for 90% of patients to be added before care begins and monitored annually.
Moran said improvements could be made through better data gathering, early identification and clearer guidance from the top.
‘When the MSF does materialise, we will go over it with a fine-toothed comb and hold ministers and officials to account for how their plans will be put into action,’ she added.
Image: Pauli Nie/UnSplash
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