Response to the King's Speech

"It's a huge disappointment that the King's speech failed to mention any commitment to improving palliative and end of life care, especially when we know that one in four people in the UK dies without the care and support that they need.

Measures like the NHS long term workforce plan highlighted today are much needed, but if this fails to account for the long term workforce needs of charitable and independent providers of palliative care, it will fail to address the challenges that end of life care is facing and will face in the future.

With a general election approaching, all political parties must make this a priority now. Action is needed to close the gaps in end of life care and meet the rapidly rising demand.

Along with Sue Ryder, Hospice UK, Together for Short Lives and the National Bereavement Alliance, we have set out a manifesto for palliative and end of life care, which we urge the next Government to commit to, to ensure that everyone affected by dying, death and bereavement receives the best possible care and support, both now and in the future.

Our manifesto is clear on what needs to change. There must be a new funding solution which ends the current postcode lottery of palliative care access; a national delivery plan in every UK nation to support local services; a focus on individual needs and choices and commitment to tackling inequalities and poverty at the end of life; as well as improved support for families and carers.

Today was a missed opportunity to commit to fixing a system that most of us will one day rely on. It's time to make palliative care a priority."

Dr Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Research, Marie Curie.