Assisted Dying Position Statement

by Pendleside Hospice

Pendleside Hospice has ‘no collective view’ regarding the issue of whether the law should change to allow ‘assisted dying’ or ‘assisted suicide’. 

This is in line with most national healthcare charities who support/deliver palliative and end of life care (Hospice UK, Macmillan, Marie Curie and Sue Ryder). 

It is different from a ‘neutral’ position, which may imply an organisational perspective that has no interest in the outcome of the debate. 

The whole ethos of Hospice and palliative care, as defined by the World Health Organisation, is that it ‘intends neither to hasten nor postpone death’. This is a philosophy adopted wholeheartedly by Pendleside Hospice, and which is at the heart of our care delivery. 

Assisted dying is a complex subject which raises challenging ethical questions for Hospice care.  Pendleside Hospice recognises that across society there is a range of different views and respects the right of everyone to take an individual position. It is our view that the question of whether there should be a change in the law is one for society to consider and for the parliaments and assemblies across the UK to decide. 

Pendleside ensures that it keeps abreast of any proposed changes in relation to the current law on ‘assisted dying’ and if there were to be a change, Pendleside Hospice believes that very careful consideration would need to be given to the effect it would have on its services, patients, relatives, staff, and the wider community, before forming a collective view.

If you wish to learn more, please read Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.