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A new NHS report has landed, and its message is crystal clear: before we change the law on assisted dying, we have to fix the gaps in palliative care. Because without that foundation, 'choice' at the end of life isn't really a choice at all.
An expert committee led by Professor Sir Mike Richards found that only half of dying patients in the UK get palliative care, even though up to 90% could benefit. Even worse, fewer than one-third of hospitals provide out-of-hours specialist support, meaning that in the middle of the night or on weekends, too many families are left to cope alone.
This shortfall in care doesn't just affect dignity and comfort; it's expensive. In the final year of life, the NHS spends £6.3 billion on emergency hospital admissions. The report argues that better palliative care, like 24/7 advice lines, faster access to equipment, and stronger hospice networks, could save money and give people a far better end-of-life experience.
Support for assisted dying is growing in Parliament, with bills like MP Kim Leadbeater's gaining momentum. But experts warn against seeing this as an either/or choice. As Sir Mike Richards put it: 'Improved palliative care isn't in competition with assisted dying. Regardless of legal outcomes, we must improve it.' If anything, this debate should push us to fill the gaps in care before any law changes.
Polling shows 83% of assisted dying supporters say poor palliative care is a major factor in their opinion. Even those in favour of the right to die agree: if care is inadequate, then 'choice' becomes an illusion. High-quality palliative care isn't just compassionate; it's essential for true autonomy.
Before the law changes, we need a guarantee: every terminally ill person in the UK should have access to compassionate, consistent care, wherever they live, whatever their income. And if assisted dying legislation moves forward, it must include commitments to review and improve NHS palliative services nationwide.
For organisations like Pallatus, this isn't just a political issue. It's about culture. Standing for strong palliative care sends a message that we value empathy, empowerment, and dignity over anything else. Because at life's most vulnerable moments, people remember not just what you did, but how you made them feel.
