Specialist palliative care in the UK: its future and the effects of NHS reforms

This article examines the impact legislative developments in the UK have had, and are likely to have, on health care in general and how specialist palliative care providers may need to adapt to these changes. The focus of adaptation is on communication and multidisciplinary teamwork. A brief review of the previous Conservative government's reforms offers a background to understanding how the current Labour government agendas affecting health and social care have been developed. Ideas are put forward to ensure that specialist palliative care provision is maintained and developed within the current structure of the health service.