July 2023
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This conference discussed next steps for improving palliative and end of life care.
Following changes to the commissioning of palliative care services through the Health and Care Act last year, delegates discussed how integrated care systems have managed this so far, and priorities for effective delivery going forward.
It was an opportunity to discuss the changes to commissioning structures, including challenges for funding, resource allocation, accountability and transparency, as well as options for commissioning changes to provide improved access and increase collaboration.
Delegates looked at overcoming challenges for engaging primary and secondary care alongside the community, in embedding palliative care into service provision, including the workforce and infrastructure required to support this.
Discussion considered the future for provision of high quality, holistic and personalised care for patients, and the priorities for shared decision-making, research and providing 24/7 support.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders, National Clinical End of Life Care Champion, Royal College of General Practitioners and Marie Curie; Max Watson, Programme Director, Project ECHO; and Amanda Williams, Deputy Director, Primary and Community Care, Care Quality Commission.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- commissioning: next steps and opportunities for the change to commissioning of palliative care in ICBs - addressing increased demand - facilitating access to high quality care
- embedding services: priorities for embedding palliative care in primary, secondary and hospital services - delivering integrated care - funding - infrastructure requirements - improving patient outcomes
- engagement: priorities for engaging primary care and integrating community care - improving collaborative working
- workforce: programmes for recruitment and professional development - retraining staff into palliative care - addressing stakeholder concerns with seven-day working
- personalised care: improving patient outcomes and quality of life after treatment - specialist services, psychological support and personalisation - support for shared family decision-making - 24/7 helplines
- research: key areas for development of research - supporting adoption of innovation - reducing hospital and A&E visits - opportunities for digital health - embedding lessons from the pandemic
- policy: next steps and long-term priorities for end of life and palliative care policy - priorities for regulation and delivery of high-quality, safe palliative and end of life care
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Cabinet Office; DHSC; DWP; HMPPS; Wales Audit Office; and the Welsh Government.
