20 June 2025
In 2024 the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was proposed as a Private Members’ Bill by Kim Leadbeater MP. The Bill proposed to allow terminally ill adults to request and be lawfully provided with assistance to end their own lives, provided they meet certain criteria. It passed its first two readings in October and November 2024, before moving into the report stage and third readings in May and June 2025.
On 20 June 2025 in the House of Commons, MPs returned to debate the Bill. There has been a lot of debate and media interest in this subject since the Bill was proposed, and on this day in a landmark moment, MPs voted in its favour.
The Bill will now progress to the House of Lords, who will further debate it and, if it is approved, it will go on to achieve Royal Assent and be made law. If the Bill gets that far, this will likely be in October 2025 and be followed by a four-year implementation period, meaning that assisted dying would be available in late 2029 at the earliest.
We recognise that there are a range of strong opinions on this sensitive and emotional issue, and it is not our role to support or oppose a change in the law but rather to work alongside the decisions that are made.
In the event of any proposed change in legislation relating to assisted dying, assisted suicide or euthanasia, we would seek to understand the implications of those changes for our patients, their families and the wider hospice sector, and respond to any consultation accordingly.
Like Hospice UK, we share the mission for everyone to have a good death, knowing that people’s loved ones will be supported, and believe that any discussion about assisted dying must include how we can make good palliative and end-of-life care available and accessible to everyone, whomever they are and wherever they live.
20 June 2025
The subject of assisted dying is a polarising one, and we recognise there are a wide range of views among our patients, families and supporters. Those who are opposed to assisted dying will have very real concerns about today’s news, and even those who are in support – while they may welcome the outcome of the vote – may still have questions about its implementation.
We have many questions of our own: the legalisation of assisted dying will have significant implications for society, hospices and the wider healthcare sector. Until we know how the Bill will be implemented, we do not know what the role of hospices will be. We also do not yet understand how assisted dying will be funded. This will be crucial information considering the ongoing existing financial challenges facing the hospice sector.
Last week an amendment was made to the Bill to require that the Health Secretary consults with palliative and end-of-life care providers during the implementation period. Today’s amendments included a requirement for the government to publish a review of palliative care services within a year of the Bill becoming law. These are welcome and important amendments given the crucial role that palliative care has to play. They provide us with an opportunity to review and transform our palliative and end-of-life care system for the better – now more than ever it is crucial that, as a nation, we get it right for those who need us and will be faced with one of the most difficult decisions of their lives.
As the UK’s largest local hospice charity, we recognise that we have a responsibility to play an active part in shaping the implementation of the Bill and we commit to fully engaging with and responding to any consultation, using our collective voice to advocate and influence decision-makers on behalf of our communities so that, to the extent that it is within our control, their views and some key practicalities are considered. This includes making sure that the law is:
We would like to reassure our patients and families that – whatever their view on this subject – we will continue to treat them with compassion, respect and ensuring that all who seek our support are able to make informed decisions that are best for them. Our commitment to providing exceptional end-of-life and palliative care is unwavering.