Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Money)

Brian Mathew Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Brian Mathew (Melksham and Devizes) (LD)]

Let me start by saying that I am in in favour of the motion, so I will vote for it, if it comes to that. However, would the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) and the Minister consider the inclusion of two social workers on the group, made up of two GPs and a High Court judge, that assesses requests for assisted dying?

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Ms Nusrat Ghani)]

Order. Your contribution has to be within the scope of what we are discussing, which is the financial organisation of the Bill.

[Brian Mathew]

I was making a point about the added expense.

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

You need to get to that point very quickly.

[Brian Mathew]

There would be added expense. Social workers are trained in understanding family dynamics, and need desperately to be involved in these situations.

[Kim Leadbeater]

I take that point on board. I had a very productive meeting with the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers yesterday, and we had a useful conversation on that issue.

[Brian Mathew]

I thank the hon. Lady.