Welsh Parliament report on gynae cancer highlights end of life care need

Natasha Davies, Senior Policy Manager for leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, said: "The latest report from the Senedd's Health and Social Care committee once again shines a light on the perilous state of our palliative and end of life care system, rightly highlighting the importance of timely referral and access as a means of not only managing symptoms but also ensuring dignity and quality of life.
"We strongly support the committee's recommendations to improve data and evidence so we can understand whether women living with gynaecological cancers are able to access the palliative care they need, when they need it.
"Marie Curie continues to call for urgent action to transform palliative and end of life care in Wales. Important steps have been taken in recent months. The publication of the National Service Specification for Palliative and End of Life Care makes clear the standards that are expected of health boards and providers.
"But these high-level expectations must translate into meaningful change on the ground. Our manifesto, At breaking point: Time to transform end of life care in Wales, offers a roadmap for government to ensure that services are responsive to people's needs, that palliative care is sustainably funded and to strengthen out of hours and community care so people have 24/7 access to care and support at or close to home.
"Policymakers, health boards and providers must take the bold, transformative steps needed to fix our end of life care system, so that everyone can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time."