ALL Scots have a right to palliative care – but more than 10,000 are missing out on the help they need, a public enquiry has found.
The Scottish Parliament’s health and sport committee yesterday called for a major rethink on the issue after a probe found ease of access to pain management and other treatments for non-curable conditions is affected by the type of illness a patient has, with several other barriers identified.
During evidence sessions, MSPs heard palliative care is more readily available for those with cancer, while those with non-malignant conditions are less likely to receive that help at the end of their lives. Homeless people and those with learning difficulties were also at a disadvantage.
And, according to projections based on UK data, more than 10,000 Scots are not getting the care that they need.
Convener Duncan McNeil MSP said: “Our committee came to a firm conclusion that everyone who needs it should be able to access high quality, person-centred palliative care.
“We heard that this is not happening on a consistent basis and that people across Scotland have a different experience depending on where they live, their age and their condition.
“Conversations around death and dying are never easy. But palliative care is about giving people the best quality of life regardless of how long that may be for. This report is not about policy in isolation but people. The provision of good quality palliative care affects us all whether as parents, children, or as carers of loved ones.
“It’s important that change comes as a result of this inquiry and more work is undertaken by the Scottish Government to find out why people are not getting the care they need.”
The inquiry also highlighted a lack of clear definition for palliative care and found this type of help in not only provided in hospices, but also in generalist settings and by other health and social care professionals.
Meanwhile, support and help is not always available to families supporting those at the end of life when they need it and the committee said 24/7 access must be made available to those providing care at home.
Deputy convener Bob Doris MSP said: “As our population ages and more people need palliative and end-of-life care, it is vital we look beyond just the specialist settings and take a more comprehensive look at where care is being provided to ensure the right care is delivered at the right time and in the right setting.”
Responding to the report, health secretary Shona Robison said a palliative and end-of-life care strategic framework will be published by the end of the year.
She added: “This framework will help ensure that everyone in Scotland no matter where they live and no matter what clinical conditions they have will receive care from a health and social care system that recognises when time is becoming shorter.”
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