Have you ever wanted to make a real difference in healthcare, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care? Now is your opportunity to influence the future of care by sharing your experiences and insights. The newly established Commission on Palliative and End-of-Life Care is actively seeking input from individuals who have firsthand experience with palliative care—whether as a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional. Your voice could help shape the future of care, ensuring it is compassionate, effective, and accessible for all.

I am delighted to have been asked to be part of the Commission and am working to encourage people to submit evidence as well as attending Parliament for the ten sessions. Read on to find out more, and how you can be involved.

Palliative and End of Life Care Commission

What is the Commission’s Aim?

The Commission on Palliative and End-of-Life Care is committed to identifying solutions to the challenges in accessing high-quality palliative care. The goal is to address gaps and inconsistencies in care and make recommendations to improve services across the UK. Everyone, regardless of location or background, should have access to the care they need when they need it.

How Will the Commission Achieve This?

The Commission will receive and analyse evidence and the Commissioners’ role is to take a broad overview and find ways forward that can feed into the ten-year plan.

The Commission will analyse research and real-world evidence to gain a comprehensive understanding of current challenges in palliative and end-of-life care.
A detailed report will be produced, outlining recommendations for improvements.
The findings and recommendations will be submitted to the government and made publicly available.

Timeline and Key Dates

The Commission has a structured timeline. Key dates include:

January 2025: The Commission held its first meeting.
Ten scheduled sittings: Experts from the UK and around the world will share their insights.
March 28, 2025: Final deadline for submitting evidence.
April 17, 2025: The final sitting of the Commission.

This timeline ensures that all perspectives are considered before the report is finalised.

How Can You Take Part?

One of the most exciting aspects of this initiative is that anyone can contribute—you don’t need to be a healthcare professional to share your perspective. Whether you have personal experience as a patient, a family member, or healthcare professional, your insights are invaluable.

Taking part is simple:

Submit your experiences and recommendations online by filling out a short survey at https://palliativecarecommission.uk/submit-written-evidence. You will have the opportunity to highlight the top three changes you would like to see in palliative and end-of-life care.
Email your evidence directly to the Commission at secretariat@palliativecarecommission.uk.

Your input could help shape policies that ensure better care for everyone.

Stay Updated and Get Involved

For those who want to stay informed and engaged with the Commission’s work, there are several ways to do so:

Visit the official website at https://palliativecarecommission.uk/ to find additional resources and updates.
Watch session recordings on YouTube to hear from experts and stakeholders.
Follow the Commission on X (formerly Twitter) @pallcarecom for real-time updates and discussions.

Why Your Voice Matters

Palliative and end-of-life care is a deeply personal and critical aspect of healthcare. Many people face challenges such as limited access to services, lack of information, and inconsistencies in care quality. By sharing your experiences, you play a vital role in ensuring that future policies and recommendations reflect the real needs of patients and families.

Imagine a healthcare system where everyone—regardless of their location, background, or condition—has access to high-quality, compassionate palliative care. Your insights can help make this vision a reality.

Final Thoughts

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a meaningful change in palliative and end-of-life care. By taking a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences, you contribute to shaping a healthcare system that is more inclusive, compassionate, and effective. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference—submit your evidence before March 28, 2025 and help improve care for generations to come.

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