Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Baroness Merron and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Committee stage
Friday 6th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I will briefly look at the actual amendment. As I said in my response, the workability concerns are about the specification of a list of illnesses or diseases. I have already outlined why that would be unworkable—because it is often a combination of illnesses, as well as the complications of those illnesses, that are interacting, rather than there being just one. I referred earlier to why it would be extremely difficult. I have been looking at the specifics of the amendment, but to do what it says would create more ambiguity than there is currently. In reality, my response is covering our concerns; where I do not make a comment, there are no workability concerns.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

As the Minister will know, I have made it clear that I am concerned about suffering in the last days of life. One of the key elements of that is palliative care. When one talks about treatment, one of the incentives for death is suffering. Does the Minister have anything to say to the Committee about the status of palliative care within the National Health Service? Are there any plans afoot, and when will this particular course of treatment be available to people? Otherwise, many people faced with terminal illness will be tempted to seek assisted suicide, which I think should be discouraged.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

We are discussing a group of amendments about the definition of terminal illness. I have already placed a letter in the Library of the House outlining all the work in respect of palliative care. I have also made reference to the modern service framework.