Scotland stands at a pivotal moment in its journey to ensure that every person facing dying, death and bereavement does so with care and dignity. At the heart of this movement is Marie Curie, whose campaign for a legal Right to Palliative Care has united organisations, policymakers, and communities in a shared mission: to close the gap in end-of-life care and make compassionate physical, emotional and financial support accessible to all.
The Challenge Ahead
By 2040, as many as 10,000 additional people in Scotland each year will require palliative and end-of-life care.1 This growing need is compounded by rising living costs for those with terminal illnesses and the increasing expense of providing high-quality care. As highlighted by Liz, a participant in the Dying in the Margins study2:
“What if I lived in Milngavie and was surrounded by loving sons and daughters that have done really well and had a beautiful house, was a professional person. I suspect my care would be different.”
Too many are unable to have the end-of-life experience they wish for, due to inequalities in support, social circumstances, or simply where they live. These disparities underscore the urgent need for open conversations about dying and a commitment to universal, high-quality care.
Marie Curie’s Collaborative Approach
Marie Curie is both a campaigning and social justice organisation, and the largest provider of specialist adult palliative care outside the NHS in Scotland. Its services span hospices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and hospice care at home across most local authorities. Beyond direct care, Marie Curie is the UK’s largest non-government funder of palliative care research, driving innovation and evidence-based practice.
Collaboration is central to Marie Curie’s strategy. The organisation works closely with Integration Authorities, the Scottish Government, local councils, opposition parties, and voluntary sector partners. Recently, efforts have focused on building cross-party support for a Member’s Bill to enshrine the Right to Palliative Care in law, with support from MSPs across the political spectrum. Consultation has involved patients, families, and professionals across Scotland, ensuring that their voices shape the vision for end-of-life care.
The Power of Partnership
At October’s Voluntary Health Scotland conference, organisations came together to share best practice, tackle challenges, and explore opportunities for collective action. Marie Curie’s campaign is a powerful example of how partnership can create systemic change. By joining forces, organisations amplify advocacy efforts, pool resources, and build a stronger evidence base to inform policy.
Marie Curie’s Information and Support services, accessed over 100,000 times last year, highlight the value of integrated support networks. The Companion at Home service, which continues for up to three months after a patient’s death, helps reduce isolation and ensures ongoing support for families and carers. These successes are made possible by collaboration with local authorities, voluntary groups, and community leaders.
Looking Forward: A Call to Action
As Scotland approaches its next election and the formation of a new government, the drive for a Right to Palliative Care enters a pivotal phase. Marie Curie and its partners are listening to communities, engaging policymakers, and sharing recommendations to ensure the policy reflects people’s needs and wishes.
Let’s build on the collaborative momentum from the Voluntary Health Scotland conference. Together, we can ensure that everyone in Scotland has as much choice as possible about where they die, with care that honours what matters most. The Right to Palliative Care is more than a policy objective—it is a commitment to compassion, dignity, and justice at the end of life.
To learn more about the campaign: a-right-to-palliative-care
Join us on 26th January for a discussion on campaigning and policy and hear tips on amplifying your voice with future decision-makers. More information: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FJLH
Ref.
- Dying in the Margins; Experiences of dying at home for people living with financial hardship and deprivation. Naomi Richards, Sam Quinn, Emma Carduff, Merryn Gott. SSM Qualitative Research in Health, Volume 5, June 2024: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S2667321524000234. Dying in the Margins was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UKRI, grant no. ES/S014373/1.
- Finucane, A.M., Bone, A.E., Etkind, S. et al., 2020. How many people will need palliative care in Scotland by 2040? A mixed-method study of projected palliative care need and recommendations for service delivery. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041317.
