APPG on Hospice and End of Life Care

The Houses of Parliament at Westminster at sunset

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hospice and End of Life Care raises awareness and promotes the needs of people living with terminal or life-shortening conditions, and their families and carers, in Parliament; and promotes policies to improve care and support that are person-centred and evidence-based.

The APPG brings together MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum to debate key issues and campaign together to improve palliative and end of life care. Hospice UK provides the secretariat for the Group.

The Group holds regular meetings throughout the year, connecting parliamentarians with a diverse range of organisations and individuals with experience of palliative and end of life care.

Officers (2017 parliament)

Co-Chair – James Frith MP (Labour)

Co-Chair – Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench)

Vice-Chair – Maria Caulfield MP (Conservative)

Vice-Chair – Baroness Walmsley (Liberal Democrat)

Vice-Chair – Dr Philippa Whitford MP (SNP)

Vice-Chair – Jack Dromey MP (Labour)

Vice-Chair - Liz McInnes MP (Labour)

Treasurer – Catherine McKinnell MP (Labour)

Inquiry into improving access to hospice and palliative care

The APPG undertook an inquiry into improving access to hospice and palliative care. The Group seeks written evidence from those with an interest in this subject.

Views were sought on the following questions:

  1. What are the experiences of people and their families who have been unable to access hospice and palliative care, and what barriers did they face?
  2. What are the factors that lead to unequal access to hospice and palliative care?
  3. What actions are palliative care providers, commissioners and policy makers taking to improve access to hospice and palliative care?
  4. What barriers do palliative care providers, commissioners and policy makers face in improving access to appropriate services?
  5. What national, regional and local levers would support improving access to hospice and palliative care?

The Inquiry received evidence between March and October 2018. Evidence was sought through this open call for written contributions and subsequent question and answer sessions with key stakeholders at meetings of the APPG.