A Bill to require the provision of comprehensive palliative care to those with terminal illnesses has been scheduled for its second reading in the House of Commons.
Introduced to Parliament earlier this week, the Private Members Bill was brought under the Ten Minute Rule, enabling backbench MPs to put forward a case for a new Bill in ten minutes or less.
Brought by MP for Enfield Southgate, Bambos Charalambous, the application of the Bill would include those over the age of 60, requiring certain public bodies to co-operate with hospices in palliative care provision. It would also go further in making provision for carers, who support those with terminal illnesses.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the MP explained the need for palliative care “to go hand in hand with hospital treatment”, stating that “it should be available for all people with advanced and progressive illnesses and life-shortening conditions.”
Describing the current state of affairs in the sector and the resulting impact on individuals, he stressed that “early referral for palliative care can improve the quality of life and lengthen it”. In turn, this could similarly relive the pressure on carers and the NHS, with fewer admissions to hospitals.
He also drew attention to the struggling social care sector, focussing on those who work who within it in particular; he highlighted the current lack of support, citing research which shows a quarter of people who provide palliative or end-of-life care wait over six months to have an assessment over whether they require support.
In light of these reasons, the MP set out his intention to seek clearer government recognition of the contribution carers make, as well as the need to improve the provision of palliative care and the supporting sector.
The second reading of the Bill is scheduled for 23 November 2018. More information on the Bill can be found here.
