Contributions
3,496 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadI agree with my hon. Friend that the question should be located within that broader debate. I understand the yearning from people not to shorten life, but to shorten a painful…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadObviously the hospice sector, which often relies on charity shops to fund its services, has had a very difficult year. We therefore have put funding support in and we always keep…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadThat incredibly important and sensitive matter needs to be considered as part of the overall approach. These questions should all be brought out in a debate on this subject. That…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadI do think it important that we consider the question of end-of-life care, and support for palliative care is important. The coronavirus epidemic has shone a light on palliative…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadMy hon. Friend makes another important contribution to this debate. There is inevitably a discussion within the medical profession about this important question. That should be…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadThe hon. Lady draws a distinction between the issue of those who have a terminal illness and the broader issue of suicide, which is an important part of this debate. I respect her…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadWe would consider collecting more data on these questions, because it is important that any debate is based on the evidence, but it is also important that the debate takes into…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadI respect my hon. Friend’s views, which are deeply and sincerely held, and I respect the fact that the House will debate all views. It is right that that debate is taken forward…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadThe hon. Gentleman is quite right that this is not an issue in which there is any party politics, and there is rightly no Government position. On the specific question of assisted…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadThe Government do not collect data on the number of people who travel abroad for an assisted death. We would consider collecting data on assisted dying if it was felt that that…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadAs I said, the Government are neutral on this matter. It is a question for Parliament. There are many ways in which such a review could be brought forward, but the Government’s…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadYes, I think this is a really important point, because high-quality palliative care and the question directly of assisted dying that is before the House today are not separate…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadYes. I think it is clear that there are changing views on this subject and that there is a very strong view that any change should be dealt with carefully and sensitively. In…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadI pay tribute to my right hon. Friend for the way in which he puts his case. Of course, we acknowledge the changing views of many, including many in the medical profession, and,…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadIssues of life and death are some of the most difficult subjects that come before us in this House, and the question of how we best support people in their choices at the end of…05 Nov 2020HANSARDCoronavirus Regulations: Assisted Deaths AbroadThe hon. Lady is absolutely right to raise that issue. We provided more than £150 million of extra funding to hospices during the first peak. Locally, many clinical commissioning…05 Nov 2020HANSARDPublic HealthThe measures that we have just debated are indeed extraordinary; they are in response to an extraordinary threat to our nation’s health and prosperity. Taking these measures does…04 Nov 2020HANSARDPublic HealthWe have to constantly improve on that. First, the number of people being contacted and who are isolating has risen sharply. Secondly, while of course there is always a need for…04 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19Of course, self-isolation following contact or following a positive test, or in quarantine from abroad, is absolutely critical, and we have brought in measures to improve…02 Nov 2020HANSARDCovid-19Come on!02 Nov 2020