Marie Curie's response to DHSC's interim update on the Modern Service Framework for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care.
Sam Royston, Executive Director of Policy and Research at Marie Curie, said: "Marie Curie welcomes the development of the Modern Service Framework as a first step towards urgently needed improvement in palliative and end of life care. But without a clear roadmap for delivery, it will become a critical missed opportunity. End of life care is in crisis. Warm words will not deliver the change patients and families desperately need.
"The UK Government's ambitions (including cutting unplanned hospital admissions by 10% for people at the end of life) would be transformational. But it is a fantasy to believe it could be delivered without upfront investment to deliver a new model.
"Marie Curie is calling for at least a £200 million a year Transformation Fund for three years to shift end of life care out of hospitals and into communities, cutting avoidable hospital admissions and helping to save up to £790 million annually.
"This is about dignity - giving people the chance to die where they choose, with the people they love. The government must back this ambition with real investment, not just empty rhetoric. Dying people can't wait any longer."