During the assisted dying debate that concluded two weeks ago, many Members of Parliament reportedly agreed that the UK's palliative care system is not working for numerous individuals. Jane Turner, chief nurse at the palliative support charity Sue Ryder, highlighted this consensus, stating that MPs who disagreed on assisted dying often agreed on the urgent need to fix palliative care.
Some MPs shared personal experiences, noting relatives waiting hours in pain or being forced into hospital care due to a lack of home support. Concerns were also raised that individuals from poorer backgrounds faced greater difficulty accessing quality palliative care, with the system described as a "postcode lottery." This meant some areas offered 24-hour specialist home support, while others had A&E as the only option.
As political attention shifts to conference season, Turner emphasised that these concerns about palliative care reform should not be forgotten. Sue Ryder maintains a neutral stance on assisted dying but advocates for universal access to good palliative care. Turner stressed the importance of investing in palliative and end-of-life care, including better hospital care, community expertise to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, and expanded hospice-at-home services.