Assisted Dying

Hospice UK represents the community of more than 200 hospices across the UK. It is not our role to either support or oppose a change in the law on assisted dying. Rather, our aim is to make sure that the experience and expertise of our members informs the political process. 

Following the passing of the second reading of The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Hospice UK recognises the many different views and positions that hospices may take as the political process develops. Our formal position to represent our members is therefore one of ‘no collective view.’

Hospice UK believes that this recognises the nuances and views of staff, volunteers and trustees of our membership as hospices currently review their own position on this issue.

As the political discussions intensify around potential changes to the law, Hospice UK is in ongoing discussions with our membership to understand the questions and concerns and to review the implications for hospices and their staff. 

These concerns include the fact that everyone should be able to access high quality palliative and end of life care, no matter who they are or why they are ill. Nobody should ever feel that they have to make the choice to have an assisted death because of real or imagined fear of not receiving the care and support they need. 

Questions and concerns from hospices are extensive but include: eligibility; the effect on staff who work in hospice, palliative and end of life care (in clinical and non-clinical roles); conscientious objection or refusal to participate; the potential financial impact on hospices; and the broad lack of public awareness of what already exists around end of life care and choices. 

Whatever decisions are taken by parliament there needs to be a fair funding and equitable provision of palliative and end of life care across the UK. But for a number of reasons, notably a failure to fairly fund hospice care in Iine with population need, this is not currently the case.

Hospice UK estimates that one in four people currently do not receive the specialist palliative care they need because of marginalisation and exclusion, exacerbated by patchy, uneven services and funding. 

We believe that the assisted dying discussions must include how we can make good palliative care available and accessible to everyone, whoever they are and wherever they live.

Hospice UK hopes that people will listen to and attempt to understand the different opinions about assisted dying, including and especially views different to their own. 

Below is current information from the different parts of the UK where there are currently active discussions about the possibility of a change in the law.