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Calls for Enhanced Palliative Care Amid Assisted Dying Debate

In the ongoing conversation surrounding assisted dying legislation, Members of Parliament (MPs) across the spectrum have emphasized the urgent need for enhancements in palliative care services, regardless of the potential outcomes of legislative efforts.

During a joint interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Layla Moran, who supported the recent bill, and Diane Abbott, who opposed it, both highlighted the importance of increased funding to improve end-of-life care. Abbott expressed significant concern regarding vulnerable individuals potentially being led toward assisted dying instead of receiving appropriate hospice support. “I am very worried that vulnerable people will get swept up in the assisted dying route, when actually what they really need is access to hospice care and proper end-of-life care,” she remarked.

While Abbott acknowledged the perspectives of those advocating for assisted dying, she voiced a desire for individuals facing difficult circumstances—such as feeling like a burden or financial strain on their families—to have more options available. “If we’re thinking about choice, we also have to think about the choice of people who, if they could get support, could end their life peacefully and happily,” she stated, expressing a hope for fundamental changes in how these choices are presented to patients.

Abbott further articulated that a lack of adequate support could pressure individuals toward assisted dying. Many might contemplate such a decision due to concerns about being a burden or about the financial implications of prolonged care, including worries about occupying hospital resources. “I think they should have a genuine choice and not see supported suicide as the only option,” she added.

In the House of Commons debate, Moran urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to offer concrete commitments regarding palliative care, criticizing the government for providing only vague assurances thus far. She asserted, “The gauntlet has been thrown down,” calling for more substantial policy measures. Following the debate, Moran expressed her disappointment at the absence of any definitive policy announcements from Streeting.

Reflecting on her support for the bill, Moran linked her stance to personal experiences, recounting the situation of a close friend whose mother faced cancer two decades ago. “I saw how taking that little bit back control in her life was so important to her,” she recounted, showcasing the personal stakes involved in discussions of assisted dying.

While Moran remains supportive, she emphasized that all MPs should approach the proposed legislation critically and ensure that the final bill incorporates strong provisions for palliative care. “We need to take those extraordinarily seriously. The one that I am particularly interested in is palliative care,” she noted.

Dr. Sarah Cox, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine in Great Britain and Ireland, weighed in on the debate. Speaking with the BBC, she highlighted a critical point raised by Secretary Streeting regarding the inadequacies of palliative care. “Now is the time to fix that,” she urged, emphasizing a strong need for improvement. Cox, whose organization stands against the assisted dying bill, insisted that despite the common perception of the UK’s excellence in palliative care, the system is currently underfunded and in need of urgent attention.

The discussion surrounding assisted dying and palliative care continues to evolve, as lawmakers and health professionals strive to address both the ethical implications and the practical realities facing individuals at the end of life.

Source
www.theguardian.com