Dying well in Scotland: Minister to address palliative care breakfast briefing

Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, will deliver the opening address at an upcoming breakfast briefing on palliative and end of life care hosted by Marie Curie and Holyrood Events. 

Panellists Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy & Public Affairs at Marie Curie; Dr Naomi Richards, Lecturer in Social Science and Director of the Glasgow End of Life Studies group at University of Glasgow; and Dr Catriona Ross, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, NHS Lanarkshire will reflect on the implementation of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care (2016 – 2021) and look ahead at what needs to be incorporated in their new palliative care strategy, due later this year. 

Speaking ahead of the event, Todd said: “Covid-19 has highlighted how important it is to support people in their final days.  

“We know that by 2040, the number of people dying with a palliative care need every year will have increased by around 10,000. To ensure each individual is supported with the appropriate palliative care, we need to work collaboratively. I'm keen to hear solutions and ideas from delegates and other speakers on how we deliver effective palliative care across Scotland.” 

The chair for event, health journalist Jennifer Trueland, added:  “We need to ensure that everyone in Scotland is able to access the care and support they need in order to die well.

It’s important that we have open and honest discussions about dying, death and bereavement in order to ensure no one is left to die without care, which is why events like this are so vital.”  

Amy Dalrymple, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie commented:  “Everyone in Scotland will be affected by dying, death and bereavement, but their experiences of palliative care support vary hugely depending on a host of factors including diagnosis, location, financial circumstances and age.  

“Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament must work towards a Scotland where dying, death and bereavement is talked about openly and where people can plan and discuss their care wishes, and this event is an important opportunity to discuss how we can achieve equity of access to the palliative care support that people need at the end of their lives”. 

Dying, Death and Bereavement; Getting it Right for all of Scotland is taking place at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh on 22nd June, from 08.30 – 10.30. The event is free to attend but places are limited.  

To find out more and book your place, please click here or visit events.holyrood.com.