Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the written statement Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care, what guidance will be issued to NHS providers and primary care services on identifying patients who may benefit from palliative care at an earlier stage of illness.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End‑of‑Life Care, improving earlier identification of people who may benefit from palliative care and end-of-life care is a key priority. The MSF will support a more consistent, person‑centred and equity‑informed approach to identifying needs earlier and more effectively across all care settings.

The MSF builds on the Neighbourhood Health Framework ambition that, by March 2029, systems will increase the number of people identified as approaching the end of life by 10%. Systems are already beginning to take forward this work, with integrated care boards (ICBs) being asked to develop a clearer understanding of their local populations through integrated needs assessments and improved data on service utilisation, including for those with palliative care and end‑of‑life care needs.

Additionally, the MSF will build on existing national guidance and commissioning frameworks, including the Model ICB Blueprint, the Strategic Commissioning Framework, and the Medium-Term Planning Framework, which are already supporting ICBs to plan and commission services more effectively and sustainably over the longer term. These set out clear expectations for systems to strengthen their approach to strategic commissioning, improve understanding of population need, and begin embedding high‑impact actions based on evidence and best practice.

Full details, including specific targets and associated metrics, will be set out in the final MSF, which is due to be published in Autumn 2026.