A parliamentary committee has not recommended any change to the law around assisted suicide in England and Wales despite an in-depth investigation.
Following a year-long inquiry from the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee, the final report has made no recommendations to Government, and has instead left it to further discussion. It has also refused to endorse calls for a vote on the matter in Parliament.
The Catholic Union submitted evidence to the inquiry based the results of a survey into assisted suicide which found that 88 per cent of responders did not want to see the law changed. Catholic Union President, Baroness Hollins, also gave evidence and is quoted in the report.
While the report stops short of making any recommendations, it describes access to palliative care and end of life care as “patchy” with two thirds of hospice budgets reliant on fundraising. It says the Government “must ensure universal coverage” of these services, including hospice care at home.
Crucially, the report finds that while advances in palliative care have been made across the world, progress has been less in countries where the state provides assisted suicide.
The report also highlights a “pressing need” to provide better mental health support for people along with guidance for those living with a terminal diagnosis.
The Catholic Union has said that efforts to oppose assisted suicide must now focus on other jurisdictions, including Jersey and the Isle of Man, where proposals for a change in the law are being considered.
Catholic Union President, Baroness Hollins, comments: “There is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to end of life care. A good place to start would be upholding the commitment to universal access to palliative care in the Health and Care Act. The report recommends that this is in place before there is any consideration of changing the law. The fact that there are very few recommendations is in some ways, quite helpful as it requires people to read and consider the evidence rather than just reacting to the recommendations.”
Catholic Union Director, Nigel Parker, adds: “The Catholic Union has worked hard to highlight the deep concern from the Catholic community in this country about a change the law in this area. Our survey on assisted suicide last year not only found widespread opposition to a change in the law but also highlighted the very real risk of making health and social care a no-go areas for Catholic medical professionals. There is still more work to do and our focus is now on other jurisdictions, including Jersey and the Isle of Man where proposals are being actively considered.”