Motion NDM8239 Darren Millar

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Cross-Party Group on Hospice and Palliative Care’s inquiry, Experiences of palliative and end of life care in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Acknowledges that during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospice and palliative care played a critical role, and went above and beyond in supporting patients and their families.

3. Regrets that during the COVID-19 pandemic, some people faced difficulties accessing end of life care at home and in care homes, despite the best efforts of those working in health and social care.

4. Recognises that demand for palliative care in the community is forecast to double by 2040 and that the pandemic has given a glimpse into how the health and social care system will cope under similar pressures in the not-so-distant future.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the palliative care sector to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensure palliative care is at the heart of plans for potential future pandemics;

b) prioritise the development of palliative care capacity in the community, upscale existing good practice, and capture all loved ones, including children;

c) ensure that workforce and funding decisions prioritise the wellbeing, staffing, education and training needs of those working across the full spectrum of palliative and end-of-life care.