Access to benefits for those with terminal illness ‘to be doctor’s decision’

More people with terminal illness will be able access to their benefits quickly in Scotland, after the Scottish Government promised to extend the definition from six months in its new social security bill.

Ministers had planned to extend the definition from people with six months to live to people who are thought to have two years of life left.

However speaking at First Minister’s Questions yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon said the government wanted to rely on clinical judgement instead of "arbitrary" time limits.

The initial definition would remain six months, she said, but medical practitioners would be able to certify eligibility for anyone with a  terminal illness.

“If we have a time limit that is the only basis for determining eligibility, whether that time limit is six months, two years or whatever, we will always have the risk of excluding people who should be included, because time limits, by their nature, are arbitrary,” she said.

“That is why the most important part of the Scottish Government’s amendment is the second part, whose effect would be that there will be no hard or rigidly applied timeframe.

“That means that, for somebody who would not be able to fulfil the six-month timeframe requirement, a medical practitioner would still be able to certify their eligibility. Clinicians will still be able to use their judgment on a case-by-case basis. That is the important thing here.”

Social security minister Jeane Freeman today confirmed the Scottish Government will amend the legislation.

Scottish Conservative spokesman on welfare reform Jeremy Balfour MSP welcomed the move.

“The previous situation only provided financial support for those who are terminally ill for six months – that’s simply not good enough,” he said.

“That’s why we called for it to be extended, and we’re pleased that all patients will now receive support tailored to their situation.

“Terminally ill patients need as much security and support as possible through what is a traumatic time and this should now ensure that they get it.

“We’d like to thank Marie Curie and MNDScotland for working with us through this battle to make the SNP finally see sense.”

The Social Security Bill will be debated at stage three on Wednesday.