John Swinney denies assisted dying debate settled amid palliative care SNP manifesto vow
John Swinney has acknowledged the assisted dying debate has not bene ended by Holyrood’s landmark vote to reject legislation.
First Minister John Swinney has denied that the issue of assisted dying has been settled for Scotland after Holyrood voted against landmark plans - but has vowed to improve palliative care if the SNP is re-elected to government.
Mr Swinney was speaking to The Scotsman after MSPs voted 69 to 57 against Liam McArthur’s proposed legislation - with the law falling at the final hurdle.
The First Minister, who was strongly opposed to the assisted dying proposals, praised the manner of the lengthy Holyrood debate.
Asked if the issue of assisted dying was now settled after Mr McArthur’s proposed legislation was rejected by MSPs, Mr Swinney suggested that a line will not be drawn under the issue for some people on the losing side of the debate.
READ MORE: Assisted dying Scotland: High emotions as MSPs plead for votes on most-profound Holyrood decision
“For some people, no, because it really matters”, he said.
“I understand and respect the intensity of opinion and concern about the issues. In that sense, no it’s not.”
Mr Swinney added: “I think the Scottish Parliament has shown itself well able to handle the biggest of big issues in the way in which this was handled on all sides of the opinion.
“I think it was done exceptionally well. Parliament has come to a conclusion.”
The First Minister suggested that if the SNP is re-elected to government following May’s Holyrood election, his party will improve palliative care, with a key manifesto pledge to be put to voters, following the assisted dying debate.
Concerns have been raised over the uneven quality of palliative care in certain parts of Scotland, with voices on both sides of the assisted dying debate demanding improvements.
Marie Curie Scotland is calling on the next Scottish government to embed a right to palliative care in Scots law and bring forward minimum standards patients and families can expect.
READ MORE: Charity warns end of life patients 'being written off' amid call for legal right to palliative care
Mr Swinney said: “What I think does flow out of this is a key point about the provision of palliative care in our society. That’s one of the big points I take out of the debate, which needs to be addressed.
“I have committed my government, and I’ll have more to say about this when I set out my party's manifesto for the election.
“There is a recognition of the importance of addressing these genuine concerns with the approach we take on palliative care.”
Scottish Labour health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, said: “It is clear that more must be done to improve the state of palliative care in Scotland.
“Too many Scots are being let down in their final days but the SNP has no answers.”
She added: “We need a palliative care system that meets people’s individual needs and protects patients’ dignity and wellbeing until the very end.
“Scottish Labour is committed to fixing the mess the SNP has made of our NHS and our social care system so it works for people at every point in their life, including at the end.”
Scottish Conservative health spokesperson, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, said that “SNP ministers must do more to improve palliative care and ensure that those at the end of their life have the dignity and care they deserve”.
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