“St Helena Hospice serves a population in north east Essex during the last phase of life, and for some individuals and their families, assisted dying may be a topic they wish to discuss or seek information about. 

“One key element of the Assisted Dying Bill is that everyone who requests assisted dying must be offered access to palliative care. This makes it crucial for clinicians involved in these conversations to be fully informed about all the options available to the individual. 

“There is ongoing discussion within the palliative care sector about this topic. For hospices like St Helena, the decision on how to approach it will need to be guided by the Board of Trustees, who are the strategic leaders of the hospice. 

“We also need to carefully consider how this service would be delivered, including consulting with our staff and considering their views. Every clinician will have the right to conscientious objection.  

“From my broader perspective as a leader in end of life care across Suffolk and North East Essex, we need to consider how this service could be developed and delivered. This includes supporting individuals who are entitled to request assisted dying, supporting the clinicians involved, and building a service that is both safe and thoughtfully implemented. 

“The safeguards outlined in the Bill are absolutely essential, such as the multiple layers of protection, for example requiring the opinions of two doctors and a court decision before any individual can proceed. It’s critical that we protect vulnerable people from coercion during this process.  

“However, the Assisted Dying Bill does not address the significant financial challenges faced by hospices. We mustn’t lose sight of the urgent need for sustainable funding for hospices across the country. 

“To truly ensure that people at the end of life have meaningful choices, the Government must review and improve the funding provided to hospices. Only then can hospice and palliative care remain accessible to everyone who needs it.”