Statement and response on Assisted Dying – Pilgrims Hospices

Pilgrims Hospices’ response to Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passing its second reading in the House of Commons, Friday 29 November 2024.

As we have previously stated, Pilgrims Hospices is neutral on the issue of assisted dying – that is, we do not support or oppose a change in the law.

The vote by MPs in favour of assisted dying marks a huge societal change in our country.  MPs have approved the Bill as presented, in principle. However, approval in principle and implementation in practice are very different things. There is much to work through for what this means for all hospices across the country, and, more importantly, what this means for our patients, their families, our community, staff and volunteers.

We welcome the fact that this debate has facilitated a national conversation on death and dying, and what is needed to make a death a ‘good death’. We have been encouraged, in recent weeks, that people on all sides have been unified on one point. During the debate, MPs were abundantly clear that palliative and end-of-life care service provision in the UK is not currently sufficient.

There was universal agreement on the vital role that hospices play in living and dying well, that hospice funding is inadequate, and that some people are not getting the care they need.

Addressing the funding crisis affecting hospices is more urgent in light of Parliament’s decision on Friday. We urge Government to act now with an emergency funding package and a sustainable long-term solution to the hospice funding crisis.

Until then, in line with our vision, our priority is to ensure that everyone in east Kent has access to the best possible palliative care and support when and where they need it.

Pilgrims Hospices

3 December 2024