Policy Groups

The main focus for the work of the policy unit is four standing policy groups. Three of these, which are based on palliative care for people with particular groups of clinical conditions, are chaired by current or former NCPC Trustees. The fourth, a cross cutting policy group concerned with the palliative care needs of older people is chaired by Eve Richardson, the Chief Executive.

As there are issues in common between the groups, the policy unit co-ordinates the work plans to ensure that appropriate connections are made and joint or delegated work undertaken as appropriate. Regular meetings of the four chairs and the policy unit staff oversee the whole policy programme.

The policy groups are made up of individuals selected on the basis of their areas of knowledge and expertise rather than as representatives of particular professions, organisations or sectors. These areas of expertise include government policy makers; policy makers from the voluntary sector, including hospices and relevant national charities; relevant clinical specialists and professionals; experts in specialist palliative care; service users and carers, and people with experience of epidemiology, research or teaching, primary care, commissioning, and management or organisational development.

It is important for these groups to remain small enough to maintain focus, but at times this may mean that some areas of specific expertise are lacking. A larger reference group of experts has been established, who will be asked to participate when their particular area of knowledge is required.