Hospice care must be the priority as Assisted Dying Bill progresses

On Friday 20^th June 2025 the Assisted Dying Bill passed an important milestone. It is now clear that this Bill and the legislation it will create will enshrine the provision of support to those with a terminal illness to be able to choose to end their own lives.

It’s not our role at St Michael’s to either support or oppose a change in the law. Rather, in line with our core purpose our priority is to ensure that everyone in Herefordshire and the surrounding areas have access to the best possible palliative care and support at the time and place they need it.

We stand for dignity in dying, but dignity in living must come first. While Parliament has taken a significant step, our call is for the Government to prioritise the full funding and development of universal, appropriate and high quality palliative care services for all, alongside any legal reform. 

Our expert doctors, nurses, and clinical teams are leaders in palliative care, managing complex symptoms, relieving pain, and ensuring comfort with tailored treatment plans that honour what matters most to the person being cared for.

Only a small percentage of our funding comes from the government. The majority is made possible by the generosity of our community through donations, gifts in wills, fundraising events, and the dedication of our volunteers. This support enables us to offer expert care free-of-charge to those who need it most.

Friday’s vote and the progress of this Bill does not mean that the law will change quickly, or that assisted dying will be available soon. The timeline for implementation stretches out to 2029 and there is much to be decided as implementation becomes reality. Our role in the short term is to engage with our colleagues and community to understand their opinions through facilitated discussions on assisted dying, the legislation, and its impacts on the provision of palliative care.

Matt Fellows, Chief Executive at St Michael’s said:

“For there to be real choice for patients and their families, palliative care, particularly that delivered by hospice charities such as St Michael’s must be equitably funded to ensure high-quality person-centred care is available to all who need it. Government must engage in this challenge with levels of purpose, commitment and resolve not previously seen.”

At St Michael’s Hospice, we remain committed to helping people live well until the end of their lives, ensuring that compassion, choice, and dignity are never compromised. We will continue to advocate for a system where excellent palliative care is the foundation on which any wider legal changes are built.