Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 April 2026
Letter from the Permanent Secretary of NHS England to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee relating to Financial stability of adult hospices in England, 30 March 2026
From: Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry: Financial sustainability of adult hospices in England
Summary
NHS England's Permanent Secretary updates the Public Accounts Committee on adult hospice financial stability following a January 2026 hearing. Two hospices face closure risk within 12 months; both ICBs are providing funding advances and additional recurrent support. Most hospices show resilience; three ICBs report expanded inpatient services. NHS England is developing a Modern Service Framework for long-term sustainability.
Key findings
- Two hospices identified at immediate risk of closure: one in Coventry and Warwickshire/Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB, one in Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB
- Affected ICBs providing funding advances, additional recurrent funding commitments, and monthly risk meetings to mitigate closure risks
- Most hospice sector demonstrates financial resilience; three ICBs reported expansion of inpatient services in six hospices
- NHS England implementing tighter oversight through risk registers, executive engagement, emergency cashflow support, and provider collaboration via hospice alliances
- Long-term reform planned through Modern Service Framework development in collaboration with stakeholders
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Sir James Mackey, Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England, Coventry and Warwickshire ICB, Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB, Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB
Notable line
“… two hospices at risk of closure in the next 12 months, one located in the Coventry and Warwickshire …”
Key Quotes
“… there are two hospices at risk of closure in the next 12 months, one located in the Coventry and Warwickshire, and Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB (Midlands) area, and one in the Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB (North West) area.”
“My team are staying close to the details of these cases to ensure that the effect on patients, residents and families is kept to a minimum, and in the event of further deterioration measures are put in place to ensure continuity of access.”
“While financial health varies, it is encouraging to see that several hospices and ICBs are demonstrating stability and even growth.”
“Hospices make a vital contribution to the system-wide delivery of palliative care and end-of- life care.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗