by Democrat reporter
Caring for loved ones and providing specialist palliative care would need to be met by an already stretched NHS, according to Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP said: “Hospices play a vital role in our communities. The sector has been sounding the alarm about mounting financial pressures for years, but the SNP’s response has been too little too late.
“Hospices shouldn’t be forced to make an impossible choice between matching NHS pay and protecting services.
“The Scottish Government has no excuse for not helping hospices. The First Minister must use the £5.2 billion in additional money it was given by the UK Government to fix the crisis in our health and social care services – that most definitely includes supporting hospices.”
“Hospice UK welcomes Scotland’s new palliative care strategy and its clear aim for people of all ages to receive palliative care and bereavement support based on what matters to them.
“This is an important starting point, and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to ensure those commitments are delivered in practice.
“However, the future of palliative care requires transformation, not tweaks. Too many people in Scotland are still dying without the support they need, and too many are spending their final weeks in hospital beds, not because they need to be there, but because the system gives them no other choice.
“We need bold action to drive urgent reforms: investing in palliative care to meet rising demand, expanding community-based services, and reducing avoidable hospital admissions.
“The Government must also deliver on its previous promises of long-term, sustainable funding for hospices, including full parity with NHS pay for hospice staff.
“This strategy marks a turning point, but more is needed to make sure everyone in Scotland can access the best possible care at the end of life.”
