PALLIATIVE CARE (SCOTLAND) BILL COULD BECOME LAW IN THIS PARLIAMENT

PALLIATIVE CARE (SCOTLAND) BILL COULD BECOME LAW IN THIS PARLIAMENT

LOCAL PEOPLE URGED TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT BY WRITING TO THEIR MSP

The Members’ Bill that seeks to give legislative effect to the Scottish Government’s Living and Dying Well Action Plan has passed its final pre-parliamentary test, receiving a certificate of competence from the Parliament’s Presiding Officer.

Last year, the Bill was backed by nearly two-thirds of respondents in a public consultation and almost a third of MSP’s (42), cross party, signed up to support its introduction.

The Members’ Bill will now be steered through its parliamentary scrutiny stages by its introducer, Gil Paterson MSP and could become law in this Parliament.

Speaking at the Scottish Parliament Gil Paterson MSP said:

"I look forward to stage 1 scrutiny of my Bill and feel confident that it will attract cross party support once members see the benefits that it will bring to individuals and families no matter what life-limiting condition they have or where they live."

“Over 55,000 people die each year in Scotland and I urge the public to write to their MSP to demonstrate their support”, added Paterson.

The Living and Dying Well Action Plan aims to ensure that good palliative and end of life care is available for all patients and families who need it in a consistent, comprehensive, appropriate manner across all care settings in Scotland.

Gil Paterson’s Bill seeks to amend the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 that imposes duties on Scottish Ministers in relation to the provision of health services in Scotland and also sets up reporting arrangements that require Ministers to report annually on the provision of palliative care.

The face of the Bill promises: An Act of the Scottish Parliament to require palliative care to be provided to persons with a life-limiting condition and to members of such persons’ families; and to require reports on the provision of palliative care to be made to the Scottish Parliament.

The Bill does not add to the services required under the Living and Dying Well strategy and as a consequence has no financial consequences in relation to delivery of care.

Copies of the Bill, explanatory notes, financial and policy memoranda prepared by Parliamentary Officials can be downloaded from the Scottish Parliament website.