Can a palliative care commission drive meaningful change?
7th April 2025
Professor Irene Higginson, Scientific Director of CS International, and member of the Palliative Care Commission, has written an opinion piece in the British Medical Journal. She shared her thoughts as the deadline for submitting evidence approached, highlighting the need for positive action for palliative care and reforms of the healthcare system that will improve access to palliative care for everyone who needs it, in hospitals, hospices, in care homes and in the community.
Inconsistent Palliative Care: Despite the UK’s pioneering role in palliative care, its provision and quality remain inconsistent, with significant gaps in timely access and 24/7 services. Many people miss out on quality care, and informal carers face substantial personal costs.
Economic Benefits: Palliative care is cost-effective and enhances quality of life, emotional wellbeing, and symptom management. Studies show that timely hospital-based palliative care can reduce hospital stays and costs, while community-based care improves outcomes for chronic conditions.
Potential for Change: The newly established commission and expert panel aim to drive systemic changes in palliative care policy, challenge barriers, and galvanize investment. Their findings could lead to better monitoring, workforce planning, and integration of palliative care into mainstream health strategies.
Professor Higginson concludes that the findings of the commission have the potential to drive systemic changes, improve policy, challenge barriers, and increase investment in palliative care. However, she also warns that if their conclusions are fragmented, they might hinder progress instead of reinforcing efforts. For meaningful change, their work must align and prompt early action rather than just debate.
The full article is available here:
https://www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj.r610
BMJ 2025; 388 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r610 (Published 27 March 2025) BMJ 2025;388:r610