Care of Dying in England Will Be Overwhelmed Unless Government Acts Now, says Marie Curie

Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, has fired an urgent open letter directly at Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, warning that without immediate action, palliative care in England faces catastrophe.

With more than 5.75 million deaths projected in the next decade and more than 5 million people set to need palliative care, Marie Curie says the system risks being overwhelmed unless the UK Government takes bold steps now.

The charity lays out the crisis: There’s still no national plan to close the end of life care gap for those missing out, or to support a rising number of people with complex health conditions. Financial pressures are forcing services to slash provision just as demand surges; two in five hospice providers are bracing for even deeper cuts. “Completely unsustainable,” warns Marie Curie, demanding a radical overhaul and fair, sustainable funding at the heart of a new national plan.

Referencing recent parliamentary debates and broad consensus on the need for reform, the letter is clear: “Warm words won’t fix our broken system,” it tells Streeting, “we now need decisive action”.

With the possibility of assisted dying legislation becoming law in the coming months, the call to the UK government is urgent and clear—commit to a strong, comprehensive national delivery plan for palliative and end of life care, before it is too late.

Even with positive intentions in the 10 Year Health Plan, the facts are stark: people in their last year already account for one in six emergency admissions and nearly a third of all hospital bed days. “There is little chance of building an NHS fit for the future without a comprehensive plan to improve care for dying people,” the letter states, however.

Marie Curie calls for urgent national leadership from the UK government —guaranteeing high-quality palliative care for all, everywhere in England.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive, said:
“No one at the end of life should worry about getting the compassion and dignity they deserve. The government must deliver a plan so everyone, no matter where they live, has access to high-quality palliative care. For many, this means relief, precious time together, and avoiding needless trips to A&E. Too many families are still missing out. We cannot let people go unsupported at their most vulnerable. The government must act now and work with the charity sector to fix end of life care for good.”