Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
2
Conclusion
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
Throughout our inquiry, a common theme across the evidence was the pursuit of the very best end of life care, and what many witnesses called “a good death”, where the person dying was cared for with compassion and high-quality care and provided with as much agency and choice as possible. …
Government response. The government details ongoing work and existing policies aimed at improving end-of-life care, including mandatory commissioning for Integrated Care Boards, statutory guidance from NHS England, the development of a palliative care dashboard, and recognition of personalised care in the Major …
Department of Health and Social Care
4
Conclusion
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
During our inquiry we have heard statements from people who have been involved in assisting a loved one to pursue AD/AS abroad.
Government response. The government is investing £3 million in a new Palliative and End of Life Care Policy Research Unit to build the evidence base for all-age palliative and end-of-life care, and highlights existing NHS Talking Therapies services for mental health support.
Department of Health and Social Care
6
Recommendation
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
The UK Government must consider how to respond to another jurisdiction in the UK, or the Crown Dependencies, legislating to allow AD/AS, and how it may impact jurisdictions which do not allow it. Following the recommendation by the Jersey Citizens’ Assembly, it looks increasingly likely that at least one jurisdiction …
Government response. The government confirms it will discuss with devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies the practical and constitutional implications for England and Wales should any assisted dying/suicide legislation be enacted elsewhere.
Department of Health and Social Care
13
Recommendation
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
The UK has long been a world leader in palliative and end of life care, but access to and provision of palliative and end of life care is patchy. The Government must ensure universal coverage of palliative and end of life services, including hospice care at home. It is important …
Government response. The government highlights that palliative care is now a mandated commission for ICBs, supported by statutory guidance. NHS England is further ensuring consistency by including palliative care in performance discussions from April 2024 and developing an all-age palliative and end-of-life …
Department of Health and Social Care
14
Recommendation
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
As identified in the report of the HSIB (now the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB)) on variations in palliative care services to adults, we agree that better data on the population within an ICB catchment area needs to be acquired by ICBs so that they can more fully understand …
Government response. The government states the NHS is already required to commission appropriate palliative and end-of-life care services. Palliative care services were added to the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission, promoting a more consistent national approach and …
Department of Health and Social Care
19
Recommendation
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted…
Accepted
There is a pressing need to understand how to better provide mental health support, and guidance, for people who are living with a terminal diagnosis. We therefore recommend that the Government commission such research and report back to Parliament.
Government response. The government has accepted the recommendation by investing £3 million through the National Institute for Health and Care Research into a new Palliative and End Of Life Care Policy Research Unit to build the evidence base. It also highlights existing …
Department of Health and Social Care