Assisted dying could divert funds from frontline care, says MP

Hospices and palliative care should be funded “properly” before steps are taken to legalise assisted dying, according to the Church of England’s Commons representative.

Labour MP Marsha de Cordova also said there is “considerable concern” that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could “divert much-needed” funds from frontline care.

Her remarks came as MPs used the Church Commissioners questions session to suggest the future of faith-based hospices could be put at risk by the proposed law.

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Bill will be debated on Friday and, barring any parliamentary shenanigans, a vote is expected on whether or not to approve it at second reading – the first stage of its parliamentary journey.

Only terminally ill adults with under six months to live who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible under the proposed Bill, described by Ms Leadbeater as the “most robust” in the world.

But opposition campaigners have raised fears of coercion and a slippery slope to wider legislation taking in more people, claims Ms Leadbeater (Spen Valley) has rejected.

Ms de Cordova, who speaks on behalf of the Church of England in her role as Second Church Estates Commissioner, told the Commons: “There is considerable concern that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill may divert much-needed funds from frontline care.”

Hospices in the UK receive around a third of their funding from Government with the rest raised by hospices themselves, according to a House of Lords Library briefing.

In response to concerns raised by Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon (Strangford), Ms de Cordova said: “I think what is really important on this issue is the role that hospices and palliative care play in relation to end-of-life care and I believe we need to fund those services properly before we look at wanting to move towards legislating for assisted dying.”

Labour MP Rachael Maskell (York Central) earlier voiced her concerns over the impact on faith-based hospices.

She said: “Hospices have charitable aims in providing palliative care at the end of life, but these could be compromised by the Bill before Parliament tomorrow.

“What consultation and impact assessment has there been with hospices with a faith foundation on this measure, as I’m hearing that some hospices need an exemption or indeed they may close.”

Ms de Cordova replied: “To my knowledge I don’t believe that there has been any consultation with any faith-connected organisations and also I do not believe there has been an impact assessment carried out.”

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said: “Hospices are about comforting the dying, surrounding them with care and isn’t that the very antithesis of the state involving itself in sanctioning and assisting suicide?”

Ms de Cordova replied: “If we think back to the founder of hospices and that care, it was founded on the principles of faith and that of Jesus Christ in terms of being caring and compassionate and it is only right that those principles also ring true in ensuring that hospice care is there for those who need it.”

A Hospice UK spokesperson said in a statement: “It is encouraging to see strong cross-party support for hospice care in this debate. It is important to highlight that on average, around a third of hospices’ funding in the UK comes from the state, with the rest raised charitably.

“Hospice UK remains neutral on whether or not the law on assisted dying should change, a position which reflects the views of our membership, the UK’s 200-plus hospices. It is important also to note that hospice funding is under significant pressure, with hospices across the UK being forced to make cutbacks.

“We’d also like to clarify that the large majority of hospices are secular organisations and that hospice care is available for all, free of charge, and regardless of people’s faith.”