Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Bereavement

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Warman inquired about the assessment of the UK Commission on Bereavement's report published in October 2022.
  • The Minister acknowledged the report and stated that the government is working with the bereavement sector to consider the report's findings for future policy.
  • Matt Warman highlighted the need for integrated support and information for those experiencing bereavement, an idea the Minister strongly supported and committed to working on across health and palliative care sectors.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Warman Con
Context

The UK Commission on Bereavement published a report entitled “Bereavement is everyone's business” in October 2022, highlighting various aspects of bereavement support.

Question

What assessment has been made of the implications for policies of the UK Commission on Bereavement's report 'Bereavement is everyone's business', published in October 2022?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I thank the UK Commission on Bereavement and everyone who contributed their experience of bereavement for their input into the report. We are working across Government and with the bereavement sector to consider how the wide range of findings from the report can inform future policy and make a difference to those who are bereaved.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific commitments or timelines for implementing changes based on the report's recommendations.

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Q2 Matt Warman Con
NHS
Context

The questioner experienced personal loss and feels that practical and emotional support during bereavement would have been beneficial. The UK Commission on Bereavement has made several recommendations, including the integration of support and information about bereavement into palliative care and end-of-life care.

Question

When my parents died just six weeks apart from each other, I know I would have benefited from practical and emotional support. The UK Commission on Bereavement has a number of excellent recommendations. Does the Minister agree that, among those, the idea of integrating support and information about bereavement into palliative care and end-of-life care is one that the Government should look at taking up?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend, who has done so much work in this space campaigning for others to have a better experience than he had with the tragic loss of his parents. I can give him an absolute commitment that we are working with partners across health and palliative care to ensure that bereavement support is an integral part of palliative and end-of-life practice. The new Health and Care Act 2022 means that integrated care boards must commission those services, and NHS England has published new statutory guidance on palliative and end-of-life care to give ICBs the information they need, which includes giving bereavement support to those facing a loss.

Answered
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