Sue Ryder comments on news that MPs vote to accept the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
Today, MPs voted for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to progress on to its next stage to become law. It will now be debated in the House of Lords over the coming weeks.
MPs also voted for a full review of palliative and end-of-life care in the UK to take place within a year of the Bill passing. We have been consistently calling for such a review of palliative and end-of-life care throughout the Bill’s journey.
James Sanderson, Chief Executive at Sue Ryder, said:
“We all care about how and where we will die and this review is a vital step in making sure everyone gets the care they need at the end of their life.
Sue Ryder maintains a neutral position on assisted dying, but we are concerned that gaps in care could be leaving some people feeling it’s their only option.
"Our research found that 77% of people felt that terminally ill people could be forced to consider an assisted death because the end-of-life care they need isn’t available. That must change – no matter how the Bill progresses in its next stages through the House of Lords. "
"We are calling for the Government to back our plan for a new ecosystem for palliative care that would mean more people can die with the care and the dignity they deserve.”
"As the Bill progresses, we will be engaging with members of the House of Lords, to ensure that palliative and end-of-life care continues to be part of the discussions. "
The Alongside Model, our vision for a new ecosystem for palliative and end-of-life care:
- Provide a new approach to hospital care: Develop dedicated "Alongside Suites" on NHS sites to provide compassionate, tailored care for those approaching the end of life and relieve pressure on hospital teams.
- Increase support for people in their own homes: Expand care in the community through partnerships, virtual wards, and increased hospice-at-home services to help more people die at home and to reduce emergency admissions.
- Integrate hospices with neighbourhood health infrastructure: Make full use of hospices’ expertise and space to support people with complex multi-morbidities and those in the last 1000 days of life, preventing emergency admissions and helping people to live well.
- Enhance training and collaboration: Ensure healthcare professionals can access the right training to better support people approaching the end of life and improve system working.
- Provide knowledge and resources to patients: Help people to record their wishes for the end of life, so more of their needs are met by the people involved in their care.
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