Call on next Scottish Government to make the Right to Palliative Care a priority
Comment published
Following the news the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill has been voted down, the country's largest end of life charity, Marie Curie, has issued a call to action for Scotland's Government and health services.
Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Marie Curie Scotland, said:
"Marie Curie maintains a neutral position on the matter of assisted dying. However, the debate around this Bill has put the crisis in palliative and end of life care in the spotlight.
"Our top priority is urgent: nearly one in three people still miss out on essential end of life care.
"All parliamentarians and governments must commit to delivering meaningful improvements and sustainable funding to ensure everyone is guaranteed compassionate care and dignified support whenever and wherever they need it at the end of life. Genuine choice at the end of life can only exist when everyone has access to high quality care, regardless of their illness, background or postcode.
"This is why Marie Curie Scotland's top priority for the next Scottish Government is to commit to and legislate to deliver the right to palliative care.
"Dying people cannot keep waiting.
"After years of plans, reviews and warm words, we need decisive action: legislation that guarantees the Right to Palliative Care, with clear standards and real accountability so Government and Health Boards finally deliver properly resourced, accessible care for everyone who needs it.
"It's clear that next Scottish Government must make the Right to Palliative Care a priority."