Hospice UK responds to vote on Assisted Dying in Scotland

“Yesterday's vote will have significant implications for hospices in Scotland, who will need to prepare their care services, their staff and their volunteers for such a major change, should assisted dying be legalised in Scotland.

"Hospice UK does not support or oppose a change in the law on assisted dying. However, now that the Parliament has voted in principle to support the legalisation of assisted dying it is even more essential to make good palliative care available and accessible to everyone, whoever they are and wherever they live. 

"It was encouraging to see so many MSPs on both sides of yesterday's debate speak up on behalf of hospices, highlighting the need for sustainable funding. We also welcome the strong statements made by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, ahead of the debate, recognising the Scottish Government’s obligation to sufficiently resource palliative care no matter the outcome of this vote. 

"As this Bill continues to be scrutinised, there must be progress on delivering increased investment in palliative care, and charitable hospices must be made financially sustainable for the long term. 

"Hospices across Scotland provide palliative and end of life care to 19,000 people each year, and also provide direct support services to over 4,000 family members, friends and carers each year.

"Despite this, not everyone gets the palliative care they need due to underfunding and uneven services. Nobody should ever feel they have to make the choice to have an assisted death because of a real or imagined fear of not receiving the care and support they need.”