Black Country hospices speak out after historic vote on assisted dying

The move follows the historic House of Commons vote where MPs voted in favour of a bill to allow assisted dying for the first time. 

MPs across the West Midlands region voted predominantly in favour of plans to legalise assisted dying.

Chief executive of Wolverhampton's Compton Care  Rachel Overfield said: "Following the recent Commons vote Compton Care remains neutral in its stance on assisted dying. 

"However, we would now urge local politicians and policymakers to engage with us and other palliative care specialists to help inform the future development of the bill and its impact on palliative care services.

"We will continue to do everything we can to support our communities, patients, and their loved ones with their palliative care needs, striving, as always, to provide excellent care to those who need us." 

Acorns Children Hospice, which has a site in Walsall, stated: "Our position is that this change in law must include a guarantee that quality palliative care is properly funded and available to all who need it – whoever they are and wherever they live.

"We call on the Government to ensure palliative care organisations are properly consulted as part of this change in law. Without this, we risk stumbling into legislation that has not had the benefit of such expert input and will miss the opportunity to open a wider conversation about choice and control for individuals nearing the end of their life.

"Access to palliative care in the UK is inconsistent and the organisations that provide these essential services are unsustainably funded. Any decision on assisted dying must address the ongoing uncertainties these vital services face.

"Whilst the debate so far has been focused mainly on the potential impact on adults over the age of 18 – this change in law has implications for young people and the services that support them, as care pathways to transition from these services often start at age 14.

"We support the position of Together for Short Lives (TfSL) that there are important physical, emotional and psychological differences between young people and older adults that any new legislation must address. Parliament must consider appropriate safeguarding measures, while also ensuring young people still have the essential ability to choose their own care.

"Regardless of any changes in legislation in this area, our mission will remain the same; that every child or young person who needs us will be given the highest level of clinical care and compassion and their families will be supported, for as long as needed."

In a statement Stourbridge's Mary Stevens Hospice added: "This engagement must include a diverse range of community voices, allowing individuals to share their views on what a ‘good death’ looks like to them, rather than being solely defined by experts in the field. We strongly believe that, before the bill's second reading, robust safeguarding measures must be put in place to address concerns and protect those who are most vulnerable within our society.

"We also welcome the call by several MPs during the debate for a commission report on end of life care. Whilst The Mary Stevens Hospice continues to provide specialist palliative care those who need it, at present palliative care and hospice funding is both inadequate and inequitable, resulting in many people dying without receiving the quality and individualised care they need. The government must now take urgent action to provide a long-term  solution to the funding crisis."