Sue Ryder calls on government to fix end-of-life care as Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progresses

James Sanderson, Chief Executive of Sue Ryder, says:

“Ahead of the vote on assisted dying, the Health Secretary recognised the need to strengthen end-of-life care and the Prime Minister said he would invest in it regardless of the result.

“The Government cannot now backtrack. It must fix end-of-life care.

“As the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progresses, MPs have a duty to ensure no one feels an assisted death is their only option simply because the care they need isn’t available. We found that 77% of people felt either a few, some or most terminally ill people would be put in this position.

“Now is the time for change.

“The NHS 10-year plan must create a new ecosystem for end-of-life care. Specifically, providing more care in the community to support people who want to die at home. The hospice sector can work with the Government to better support people dying in hospital, relieve pressure on the NHS, and must be considered alongside its planned Neighbourhood Health Hubs.

“The hospice sector is uniquely placed to have an impact on the Government’s key NHS targets and can help ensure that no one chooses to die prematurely because of care gaps.”