The Health and Care Bill passed Commons Report stage this week and has proceeded to the House of Lords, where it will be further scrutinised.

Andrew welcomed the Bill, which will follow through on a campaign commitment to tackle the costs of adult social care and create a more integrated health and social care system.

Andrew also saw opportunities to improve on the Bill, particularly in the area of palliative care.

In the Commons he asked:

“Does the Secretary of State agree that there is an opportunity with integrated care boards and panels to ensure the end of the awful spectacle of people at end of life and frail elderly people coming towards the end of their days being expected to live out those days in an acute hospital ward, when they should be looked after in more homely settings in the community?”

Speaking from recent family experience, Andrew said:

“I was very pleased to get a positive response from the Secretary of State and look forward to end of life care featuring in amendments during the Bill’s passage through the House of Lords before it returns to the Commons.”