End-of-life care gaps could push patients towards assisted dying
The House of Lords may be debating assisted dying, but new research from Sue Ryder exposes a deeper problem: the provision of palliative and end-of-life care simply isn’t good enough. Gaps in care are so significant, they may risk pushing some terminally ill people towards considering an assisted death, if it was to be legalised.
Improving access to palliative and end-of-life care
One in three terminally ill people (34%) say not being able to access end-of-life care could contribute to them choosing an assisted death.
This concern is echoed by the public, with six in ten (60%) agreeing that gaps in end-of-life care could make terminally ill people feel that assisted dying is their best option. (1)(2)
Sue Ryder takes a neutral stance on assisted dying, but we're calling on the Government to work with the sector to urgently improve access to palliative and end-of-life care, as we believe no one should have to consider an assisted death because the care they need isn’t available.
People are missing out on essential support simply because of where they live, their ethnicity, the disease they have or their age.
Care falling short
Sue Ryder's call to action comes as the research highlights how nearly a third (31%) of terminally ill people aren’t confident they’ll receive good quality healthcare over the next month. (3)
There is also a lack of meaningful conversations happening, as nearly two-thirds (64%) of terminally ill people have not had the opportunity to discuss the type of care they would receive in the coming months with a healthcare professional. Meanwhile, three-quarters (74%) haven’t been able to talk about where they would prefer to be cared for in their final days.(4)(5)
Social, health and geographical inequalities
Together, these findings point to a system that too often fails to give people dignity at the end-of-life due to social, health and geographical inequalities.
James Sanderson, Chief Executive at Sue Ryder, said: “If assisted dying is introduced to give terminally ill people a choice about their death, then we all need to be honest about one thing – there will not be a true choice until every person with a terminal illness is able to access the care they need.
“Right now, huge numbers of people are missing out on essential support simply because of where they live, their ethnicity, the disease they have or their age.”
Our research shows a real fear that people could pursue an assisted death simply because they can’t access the care they deserve.
Calling for reform
“Our research shows a real fear that people could pursue an assisted death simply because they can’t access the care they deserve. At the same time, people who are dying are not being adequately supported to plan for the end, leaving them uncertain and anxious about whether they will receive dignified care.
“No matter which side of the assisted dying debate people are on, there is common ground that this cannot be tolerated.”
Sue Ryder's vision
In addition to the release of its new data, Sue Ryder has set out a vision for people with a terminal illness.
The charity says that there must be equal access to care across the country and until every person with terminal illness is able to agree with the following statements, there will be gaps that could push people to consider an assisted death:
- “I have a lead clinician who makes sure all the people supporting me work together and we plan my care so I can live life to the fullest.”
- "I know the care and support I need is just one call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
- “I have been given the information I need to understand my condition and the support available to me, which gives me a sense of control.”
- “I’m supported with my symptoms to give me the best possible quality of life.”
- “The emotional care I need is in place for me and for the people close to me, including access to bereavement support for when it is needed.”
Change must happen regardless of whether assisted dying is legalised or not. Our priority is to make sure no one faces death alone.
“Until every dying person can say these statements, there will be gaps in care. We are ready to work with Government and the wider sector to ensure the right care, in the right place, at the right time is available to all.
“Change must happen regardless of whether assisted dying is legalised or not. Our priority is to make sure no one faces death alone.”
References
- When asked which of the following do you think could contribute to you choosing an assisted death, 34% said not being able to access end-of-life care. Terminally ill people’s views on assisted dying polling conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Sue Ryder, between 27th March – 5th May 2025.
- When asked to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “If someone was terminally ill and couldn’t access end-of-life care, they could be more likely to want an assisted death,” 21% strongly agreed, 38% somewhat agreed. Assisted Dying and End-of-Life Care Polling, conducted by Opinium and commissioned by Sue Ryder, November 2024.
- When asked thinking about the next month, how confident, if at all, are you that you will receive good quality healthcare, 22% they were not very confident and 9% said they were not at all confident. Terminally ill people’s views on assisted dying polling conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Sue Ryder, between 27th March – 5th May 2025.
- When asked, have you had the opportunity to discuss the type of care you would receive in the coming months with a healthcare professional, 64% said no. Terminally ill people’s views on assisted dying polling conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Sue Ryder, between 27th March – 5th May 2025.
- When asked, have you had the opportunity to discuss where you would want to be cared for (e.g. in hospital, at home, at a hospice) with a healthcare professional, 74% said no. Terminally ill people’s views on assisted dying polling conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Sue Ryder, between 27th March – 5th May 2025.
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