We must not lose the public focus on dying well - reader's letter
Victoria Wharton, Director of Caring Services, North of England at Marie Curie, highlights the importance of dying well
While some will feel frustrated that the Assisted Dying Bill has timed out, and others relieved, we must not lose the public focus on dying well.
The debate has brought unprecedented public attention to the quality of care at the end of life, scrutiny which must now translate into urgent action to improve palliative care across the United Kingdom.
Marie Curie is neutral on assisted dying, but we are not neutral on unmet need. Nearly one in three people still miss out on essential palliative care.
Genuine choice at the end of life cannot exist if people cannot access timely, high‑quality care, wherever they live.
Too many people lack support outside working hours and end up in hospital when they need coordinated, compassionate care closer to home.
Governments across the UK must now prioritise palliative care, ensuring 24/7 access to support, embedding services in neighbourhood health services and closer to home, and supporting a skilled workforce with sustainable funding, so that dying people can live their final days in dignity.