Bishops in UK welcome PM’s pledge on palliative care

“I think it is very challenging to introduce that wider debate in a context of people not receiving that care and having the peace of mind about that care,” Mr Burnham said.

He has proposed creating a National Care Service and said that carers should be among the best paid people in society, not the worst.

Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington, lead bishop for life issues for the bishops of England and Wales, said Mr Burnham’s statements on care were “highly significant” in the run-up to the second reading of the assisted dying bill in the House of Commons September.

“We have consistently called for meaningful investment in palliative and end-of-life care as an appropriate focus to uphold the dignity of all at the end of life and opposed a bill seeking to legalise assisted suicide,” Archbishop Sherrington said.

“People who are dying are vulnerable and need compassionate care and spiritual accompaniment until their last breath.

“This level of care can be found in many Catholic care homes and hospices, but the sector remains woefully underfunded and there is an existential threat to these places of compassion and care should this legislation be passed.”

He urged parliamentarians to vote against the bill on September 11 and to “work together to ensure that our palliative and social care services can be held up as examples of truly dignified care at the end of life for all”.

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Bishops welcome Burnham’s palliative care pledge (By Aili Winstanley Channer/The Tablet)