NHS England service specifications for palliative and end of life care

24 April, 2023

The NHS has published two new services specifications – one for adults and one for children and young people – which provide service models for delivering specialist level palliative care (SPLC) services from identification of need through to end of life.

The documents discuss population needs in both a national and local context and outcomes that commissioners and providers should agree will be met for their local areas. It covers aims and objectives for service providers; a whole system approach to a service model structure; information about how specialist level palliative care services should be delivered; key service characteristics; acceptance and discharge criteria; and interdependence with other services/providers.

Access the service specification for adults here.

Access the service specification for children and young people here.