Marie Curie's plea for MPs to back amendment on palliative care in Assisted Dying Bill
Press release published
Ahead of more debates on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Marie Curie, the UK's largest charitable provider of palliative and end of life care, has issued an urgent plea to MPs to back a vital amendment on palliative care.
With over 50 amendments selected for debate on Friday, Marie Curie says it's vital that palliative care is not forgotten, and that Amendment 21 is discussed and voted on as soon as possible.
Amendment 21 has been tabled by Munira Wilson MP, requiring the government to publish an assessment of the current availability, quality and distribution of palliative and end of life care services.
The charity says this is desperately needed as the end of life care system is in crisis, with huge gaps in services, and a lack of NHS leadership on this vital part of our health and care system.
The bill's sponsor, Kim Leadbeater MP, has also asked parliamentary colleagues to support it.
In a letter to Marie Curie outlining her support for the amendment, Kim Leadbeater MP, said:
"I am fully committed to a holistic approach to end of life care and choice, and I am determined that if the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill passes, it should be accompanied by improvements to palliative care."
Dr Sarah Holmes, Marie Curie's Chief Medical Officer, said:
"Our palliative and end of life care system is in crisis. Major funding issues, workforce shortages, a postcode lottery for access to services, huge gaps in out of hours care and an aging population all mean that one in four dying people aren't getting the care they so desperately need.
"Marie Curie firmly maintains its neutral position on assisted dying, but whether assisted dying is introduced or not, we urgently need an assessment to understand what provision is currently available.
"Throughout the debates on the assisted dying bill, we've heard lots of MPs talk about the importance of improving palliative care. But warm words won't get the NHS to properly prioritise end of life care, help charities like Marie Curie to recruit more clinicians to meet rising demand, or reach those who are dying without adequate support in the community.
"Whether MPs support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill overall or not, we call on them to vote for this vital amendment and ensure we put urgent plans in place to close the gaps in end of life care."
ENDS
Notes to editor:
For further information or interviews please contact Suzanne van Maurik, Senior Press Officer, on 07908472719 or suzanne.vanmaurik@mariecurie.org.uk
OR the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699
Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.
About Marie Curie
• Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.
• The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.
• If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.