Commons2nd reading

Provision of Palliative Care Bill

Require the provision of palliative care for persons suffering from a terminal illness; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Parliament last updated

1 November 2007

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This Bill would require health service providers to ensure that people with terminal illnesses receive palliative care. It includes related provisions to support delivery and to clarify the purposes of the obligation, with the aim of improving access to and the quality of end-of-life care.

Key Points

Establishes a legal duty on health service providers to provide palliative care to terminally ill patients.
Applies to relevant NHS bodies and other organisations delivering palliative care to ensure consistent standards.
Contains connected provisions to support delivery of care (the ‘and for connected purposes’ element).
Aims to improve access to and the quality of palliative care for people at the end of life.
Has progressed to the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons, with the first reading having occurred in December 2006.

Progress

The bill is currently at the 2nd Reading stage in the Commons. It originated in the Commons, with its first reading on 18 December 2006.

Who is affected?

People suffering from terminal illnessesTheir families and carersNHS bodies and other organisations providing palliative care (e.g., hospices, community care providers)Health service professionals delivering palliative careHealth service planners and commissioners involved in funding and arranging palliative care

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

18 Dec 2006

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.