It has been warned this week that the care home sector is “dangerously unprepared” for the potential legalisation of assisted suicide.
In a poll of its members, Care England found that 84 per cent of providers had not been consulted on the introduction of assisted suicide.
More than a 3rd of staff at care homes (34 per cent) said they might not assist someone in a care home to die.
Only 13 per cent of care homes said they might find a way to offer assisted suicide if required and nearly 1 / 4 (24 per cent) said that they might face staffing issues as many carers would conscientiously object to assisting a suicide.
This is more likely to add considerable strain to the sector because it already suffers from high job vacancies and staff turnover.
A personal member’s bill brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater was passed by the House of Commons in June and is being debated within the House of Lords on Friday. It proposes allowing terminally ailing patients to finish their very own lives with the help of medical professionals.
The Catholic Church has previously warned that some care homes could also be forced to shut if assisted suicide becomes a right that translates into an obligation for care homes.
Those care homes that on principle object to assisted suicide could possibly be forced to shut simply to avoid carrying out what they might regard as unethical acts, the Church warned.
Care England’s concerns are practical in nature, stating that the sector is unprepared for such a big change.
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said, “In its current form, and without clear guidance from Government, the Bill could present significant challenges for providers and staff working with people in care settings.
“Engagement with the sector to date has been minimal, as our survey demonstrates. What is required now shouldn’t be rhetoric, but a precise, coherent, and actionable roadmap for delivery. The sector cannot afford to attend until after the Bill passes to start these critical discussions.”
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