End of life care ‘must be a priority’ for incoming Scottish Government

Press release published

End of life care must be a priority for the incoming Scottish Government now more than ever, a charity caring for dying people and the bereaved says.

Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity, is calling on all political parties to include a plan for a new end of life care strategy in their manifestos for the upcoming Scottish election.

By 2040, 95% of all people who die in Scotland may need palliative care by 2040, with over 60,000 people projected to be dying with a terminal condition.

In addition, the number of Scots dying from multiple diseases is also set to increase by 82% by 2040.

The organisation provides expert care and support to thousands of people living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, at its Edinburgh and Glasgow hospices, and in their own homes across Scotland.

Richard Meade, Marie Curie Head of Policy and Public Affairs in Scotland, said:

"Everyone will experience dying, death and bereavement at some point in their lives and people deserve the best possible care and support for them, their family and friends.

"Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has shown the distressing impact dying, death and bereavement can have on anyone at any time.  It has intensified the complexities associated with terminal illness for our patients, families and carers, which will affect many people for years to come.

"With more and more people projected to be dying every year needing a palliative approach and with increasing levels of complexity, we must plan to make sure we close the care gap before it starts to grow."

Richard added that to improve the experience of those living with a terminal illness, their families and carers, the next Scottish Government must assert end of life care as a key focus for the next Parliamentary term.

"The next Scottish Government must work towards a Scotland where dying, death and bereavement is talked about openly, where people can plan and discuss their care and preferences, and everyone affected has the best possible end of life experience which reflects what is most important to them."

Marie Curie's three main asks of the next Scottish Government are:

Appoint a new National Clinical Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care for Scotland

Introduce a national strategy for palliative and end of life care, which works to ensure everyone living with and dying from terminal illness gets the care and support they need

Ensure all family and other carers get the support they need as the look after the person they are caring for, and appropriate bereavement and financial support when that person dies

The charity is calling on its supporters to email their local candidates to ask them to support a pledge for Marie Curie's three asks of the next Scottish Government.

Visit: www.mariecurie.org.uk/scottishparliament