Assisted Dying Bill Statement
Longfield Community Hospice Statement on the Assisted Dying Bill (formally known as Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill)– Updated Feb 27 2026
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.
At Longfield hospice we are committed to doing our utmost to ensure our patients and their families live as well as they can until they die. We believe that everyone deserves to be cared for with kindness, respect and empathy and that the patient and their loved ones know what they want at end of life. We do all we can to ensure we follow their wishes wherever possible.
We are following the Assisted Dying Bill’s progress through the legal process, carefully acknowledging that at present the way end of life care is provided and funded relies heavily upon charity. This can lead to differences in care provision depending upon where people live. 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.
Together with other hospices we profoundly believe that ensuring high quality, compassionate care should be available to all who are facing the end of their lives. Whilst the assisted dying bill moves along the legal pathways we will continue to provide the very best palliative and end of life care we can to the people of Gloucestershire.
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 – Sarah Mimmack, Director of Care, Longfield Community Hospice.