We welcome a new set of principles published by the UK Government to set out how it will work with charities. This includes news that people in England diagnosed with long-term health conditions will receive extra help and support from expert charities under a new service called Diagnosis Connect.
The government says that ‘Diagnosis Connect’ will ensure people are referred directly to trusted charities and support organisations as soon as they are diagnosed – providing personalised advice, information and guidance to help them manage their condition and feel more in control. Ministers say this support should complement, not replace, their usual NHS care.
The government hopes the new service will help improve quality of life and avoid unnecessary hospital visits. It is due to be launched in 2026 and will initially focus on areas like diabetes, mental health and lung conditions. It will be scaled up in the following years.
We think the Diagnosis Connect service has the opportunity to help seriously ill children and families access lifeline support from charities such as Together for Short Lives, children’s hospices and other vital voluntary sector organisations. We will engage with government officials to try and understand if, how and when the service might be able to help connect these families with the information and support they need.
Nick Carroll, Chief Executive
He continues: “More broadly, we want to work closely with the Government to deliver its Health Mission to build a health service in England that is fit for the future. Children’s palliative care services, provided by the NHS and voluntary sector, are already crucial parts of local health and social care systems. We want to partner with ministers and officials to make sure children’s hospices and other children’s palliative care charities can access the sustainable workforce and funding they need – and are involved in decisions about how to plan and deliver care and support.”
You can read more about the government’s plans for Diagnosis Connect here.