§ Mr. EtheringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of demand over the next five years for(a) in-patient, and (b) respite and day care provision for palliative care; and if he will make a statement. [58178]
§ Mr. HuttonIn Executive Letter (95)22 regional health authorities were asked to ensure that health authorities should agree service contracts for specialist palliative care to meet the needs of their resident populations. This was followed by Executive Letter (96)85 which gave further advice on epidemiologically based needs assessment for palliative and terminal care.
We are committed to ensuring that the principles and practice of palliative care are adopted in the care of all people with life threatening illnesses in all settings. Significant advances have been made in pain and symptom control and there is greater emphasis on maximising the quality of life of patients.
In June this year we issued Health Service Circular 1998/115 pointing out the need to integrate the principles and practice of palliative care for all those facing life threatening illnesses into the whole of National Health Service practice. To support this, with the circular the Government also circulated three documents published by the National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services which provide guidance on key issues facing those who are dying and those caring for them in the NHS. These were:
- (i) Guidelines for Managing Cancer Pain in Adults
- (ii) Changing Gear—Guidelines for Managing the Last Days of Life in Adults
- (iii) Palliative Care in the Hospital Setting.