Update on Adult Community Specialist Palliative Care – 16 April 2026
This bulletin builds on the March update and provides more specific detail on how the new, more consistent model of care is being implemented across individual boroughs, reflecting phased delivery and different starting points.
Key developments highlighted in this update include:
- St Luke’s Hospice has launched its expanded community specialist palliative team for North Brent. The service now operates 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week.
- Continuing to onboard providers to the new data reporting system ensuring the collation of more detailed information on specialist palliative care services to monitor delivery of intended outcomes and ensure alignment to the needs of north west London residents.
- Working through the operating model for a single 24/7 telephone advice line for north west London, with calls routed in via NHS 111, ensuring we have the right workforce and pathways to improve care coordination and access to timely, specialist advice and support for palliative care patients. This includes work to ensure that operational systems are in place to access the necessary information required to give patients the best support.
- We are continuing to work with different communities to co-design resources to support better access to services, with the aim of reducing inequalities. The final design of these materials is being refined prior to publication by summer 2026.
Earlier updates focused mainly on the case for change and the agreed model of care. This bulletin continues the shift towards practical delivery, setting out how changes are being implemented locally and what this means for patients, families and professionals in different boroughs.
Local Care Team
NHS West and North London
www.westandnorthlondon.icb.
