MPs reject attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

MPs have voted down the the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by a majority of 16, after 286 voted against while 270 voted in favour.

The debate lasted over four hours in the House of Commons on Friday. Dr Sam Royston, Marie Curie’s executive director of research and policy believes discussion around the bill highlights the urgent need to fix palliative care in England.

He said: “Today’s deeply moving debate showed that, whatever people’s views on assisted dying, there is widespread agreement that everyone deserves the best possible care and support at the end of life.

“Many parliamentarians spoke powerfully about what a good death should mean, yet nearly one in three people currently die without the care they need. Too many spend their final days in pain or on busy, chaotic hospital wards, while families fight for help instead of spending precious time together.

“The assisted dying Bill will not go ahead, but the urgent need to fix palliative care in England remains. The Government must publish its Palliative and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework this autumn, backed by a time-limited transformation fund of at least £200 million a year for three years.

“Everyone approaching the end of life must be able to rely on compassionate, round-the-clock care.”