Assisted Dying Bill Statement
Longfield Community Hospice Statement on the Assisted Dying Bill (formally known as Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill)– Updated July 3rd 2025
We are deeply aware of the national conversation surrounding the assisted dying bill and the profound ethical emotional and societal questions it raises.
We welcome open dialogue about death and dying as it encourages greater understanding and compassion around end of life experiences. However, our unwavering focus remains on providing high quality, compassionate, palliative and end of life care to those in our community.
Whilst we remain neutral in our position, we believe that no one should ever feel compelled to consider assisted dying due to a lack of care, support or dignity in their final days, it is essential that whatever decisions are made at a legislative level there is a parallel and urgent commitment to fair funding and equitable access to palliative care across the UK.
As this debate continues, we stand firm in our belief that every person deserves to be cared for with empathy, respect and the highest standard of support regardless of their choices or circumstances.
Timeline for the Assisted Dying Bill*
On 20 June 2025 in the House of Commons, MPs voted in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill. This Bill is now being debated in the House of Lords. If it is approved, it will go on to achieve Royal Assent and be made law.
Depending on how long the Lords take to pass the bill, (if they do) the implementation of the bill will take up to four years to put in place. It could be late 2029 by the time a terminally ill person would be able to legally access an assisted death.*