Hospice UK responds to assisted dying bill amendment votes in Scottish parliament

Toby Porter, CEO at Hospice UK said: “Any change in the law on assisted dying would have profound implications for the hospice sector, which is already under significant financial pressure.  

“We’re pleased that the health committee have agreed to include the requirement that during any assessment a doctor must offer a referral for palliative care, to ensure that anyone requesting an assisted death can fully and meaningfully explore all end of life choices open to them.

“As experts in end of life care with close connections to their communities, it is essential that hospices are meaningfully involved in shaping any significant changes to how that care is delivered. It is vital too that they have the flexibility to determine the nature and extent of their involvement in any future service. 

“We encourage all MSPs to support Jackie Baillie’s amendments next week which assess and mitigate the impact of the Bill on palliative care. The creation of a code of practice for palliative care providers, would support hospices and the palliative care sector to be robustly prepared should the Bill become law.

“Above all, regardless of how the Bill progresses, urgent reform of the hospice funding model is needed to ensure high-quality palliative care is available to everyone, everywhere.”