29th June 2015

Inquiry into palliative and end of life care

An inquiry into the quality of palliative care has been launched by the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee which is convened by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP, Duncan McNeil.

The inquiry “We need to talk to Palliative Care” will focus on how patients can access the palliative care they need regardless of where they live and the diagnosis they receive.

MSPs today met with patients and staff at Marie Curie’s Hospice in Glasgow to make a plea for people to tell the Committee of their experiences of accessing palliative and end of life care.

Speaking as the Committee launched the inquiry, Duncan McNeil MSP said:

“The recent debate on assisted dying highlighted that the provision of palliative care in Scotland is not good enough. Our Committee heard that access to palliative care is not available on an equal basis.

“When faced with a terminal condition, it’s clear that the priority must put the patient’s needs at the heart of their treatment and care.

“We want this inquiry to shine a light on access to palliative care in Scotland and what more can be done to improve care for people at the end of their lives.”

“The Committee is also investigating how information should be made available to patients and their families about the types of support that is available and when the right time is to start talking about options for palliative care.”