As MPs have today voted to allow a bill on assisted dying to be passed, leaders at Trinity Hospice are joining a national call for a ‘seismic step change’ to improve the funding allocated to palliative care.

In a joint statement following this afternoon’s Parliamentary Vote, Trinity’s Chair, Tracy Dewhurst, and Chief Executive, David Houston, said: “Trinity does not currently take a position on assisted dying, but rather it strongly advocates the importance of ensuring consistent and timely access to good palliative care. But we do recognise the decision parliamentarians have taken today.

“The views of our own staff, volunteers, Trustees, our patients and the community which supports us will no doubt reflect the full spectrum of views that have led to today’s debate.

“It is, however, our role to take this opportunity to press upon the Government the need for a seismic step change in the funded provision of palliative care so that no-one is forced to make such life-impacting decisions because of the lack of timely and consistent access to good palliative care.

“We know from nearly 40 years of providing vital hospice care the difference it makes to people’s spirits and choices as they approach the end of their lives.”

Nationally, Hospice UK – the umbrella charity for hospices across the UK, is calling for fair funding and equitable provision for palliative and end-of-life care. The organisation states that for a number of reasons, including the failure to fairly fund hospice care in line with population need, this is not currently the case.

Trinity Hospice supported 68% of all people who died at home last year, and was able to provide specialist care and support to 41% of all people who died across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre in 2023.

Mr Houston added: “We are not an insignificant part of the wider health and social care system. For each person that we have supported – whether they are a patient, their family or someone who is close to them – that journey was transformational because of the care we were able to provide.

“We only have one chance to get it right. But nationally, we are at a tipping point with regard to palliative and end-of-life care and the whole health and social care system is on the edge. Yet we were given 0.6% increase in funding this year, and a 0% increase in our funding the previous year. And we are all worse off by 25% through inflation.

“People will continue to die, and effective holistic care requires investment. If that’s not there, people’s chances of a good death become far more variable.

“Now is the time for the government to fundamentally tackle this funding crisis so that all those who need access to consistently good palliative and end-of-life care, which is free at the point of need are able to do so.”

Published 29th November 2024