Manifesto priorities for Scottish Parliament elections 2025
25 November 2025
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Palliative care can’t wait. The next Scottish Government must take decisive action to make palliative care a national priority and secure the vital contribution of hospice care.
The next Scottish Government must make palliative care a national priority by:
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Delivering a long-term, sustainable funding model for hospice care, including fully implementing pay parity between NHS and hospice care staff
Establishing an independent review of palliative care to drive urgent system reform and identify investment needed to meet rising population need, expand community-based care and reduce avoidable hospital use for those at the end of life
Legislating to deliver a right to palliative care, so that everyone receives the care they need at the end of life
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Scotland’s next parliament must confront a society-defining challenge: how to deliver not just the best start in life, but the best care at the end of life.
Scotland is facing a demographic crisis. As our population ages, demand for palliative care is soaring – but our health and care system is failing. Too many Scots, of all ages, are dying without the support they need. And too many are spending their final weeks in hospital beds – not because they need to be there, but because the system gives them no other choice.
The future of palliative care requires transformation, not tweaks. Without urgent action, rising demand will mean overfull wards, more delays and more patients stuck in hospital. All of this will drive up the cost to the public purse – and let down those who need care the most.
Hospice care supports adults and children to stay at home, reducing hospital stays. It eases pressure on the NHS and saves money. The majority of hospice care is delivered in people’s own homes. These services could – and should – be growing to meet rising demand. But in fact they’re shrinking. Surging costs and insufficient statutory funding mean hospice care is on the brink. Hospice care is vital and Scotland cannot afford to let it fail.
The assisted dying debate has exposed deep inequities in access to palliative care across Scotland. Regardless of the outcome of the current bill, investing in hospice and palliative care isn’t optional: it is critical to ensure choice, dignity and compassion at the end of life.
Palliative care is at a cross-roads. There is only one chance to get care right when someone is dying. If we truly believe in dignity, compassion and fairness at the end of life, then palliative care must become a national priority.
Anything less is letting down those who need us most, when they need us most.
Read our full manifesto asks
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Securing hospice and palliative care for the future.pdf
