In a rare display of cross-party agreement, MPs on both sides of the heated assisted dying debate are calling for improvements to palliative care in England and Wales. The calls come on the heels of a landmark vote that saw the majority of MPs back a bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill patients.
Concerns Over Vulnerable Patients
While the bill’s supporters celebrated the vote as a victory for patient autonomy, critics raised concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable individuals. MP Diane Abbott, who opposed the bill, worries that some may feel pressured to choose assisted dying due to fears of being a burden or draining family finances.
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.
– Diane Abbott, MP
Abbott argues that patients should have a genuine choice, with supported suicide not seen as the only option. She believes that with the right care and support, many could end their lives peacefully without resorting to assisted dying.
Calls for Increased Funding
On the other side of the debate, MP Layla Moran, who supported the bill, agrees that more funding is needed for end-of-life care. During the parliamentary debate, she called on Health Secretary Wes Streeting to make firm commitments to improving palliative care, accusing the government of offering only “woolly words” thus far.
Moran expressed disappointment that no policy announcements were forthcoming from Streeting. She emphasized that while she voted for the bill, all MPs want it to be a good piece of legislation, urging colleagues to take arguments against it seriously.
I would hope colleagues across the house – especially those who voted for it – reserve the right to vote no at further stages, and those who are against it, those who made arguments against it, we need to take those extraordinarily seriously. The one that I am particularly interested in is palliative care.
– Layla Moran, MP
Palliative Care Falling Behind
Dr Sarah Cox, president of the Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland, echoed these sentiments. She noted that Health Secretary Streeting cited inadequate palliative care as a reason he could not back the assisted dying bill, calling on him to take action to address the shortcomings.
According to Dr Cox, while the UK was once considered a world leader in palliative care, it has fallen behind in recent years due to insufficient funding. She urged the government to prioritize investment in end-of-life care to ensure all patients have access to the support they need.
Balancing Autonomy and Safeguards
As the assisted dying bill progresses through parliament, the debate over how to balance patient choice with safeguards for the vulnerable is set to intensify. While proponents argue that the proposed law includes robust protections, critics maintain that no safeguards can entirely eliminate the risk of abuse or coercion.
At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental question: how can society best support those nearing the end of life? MPs on both sides seem to agree that part of the answer lies in ensuring access to high-quality palliative care, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their final days.
The Path Forward
As the assisted dying bill continues its journey through the legislative process, the calls for improved palliative care funding are likely to grow louder. MPs will need to grapple with the complexities of the issue, weighing the desire for patient autonomy against the need to protect the most vulnerable.
Ultimately, the outcome of this debate will have profound implications for how society cares for those facing terminal illness. By investing in palliative care and engaging in nuanced discussions about end-of-life choices, policymakers have an opportunity to craft a compassionate, patient-centered approach that upholds the dignity of all.
