Following the publication of a report highlighting poor patient experiences for those receiving end-of-life and palliative care, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called for action from the Welsh Government to improve the situation in Wales. 

Calling for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health on palliative care and end-of-life care in Wales during yesterday’s Business Statement, Darren referred to Marie Curie’s report on better end of life care, which highlighted a number of shortcomings in the delivery of this type of care, and asked what is being done to address them.  

Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, he said: 

“As many Members of the Senedd will know, we recently received a copy of Marie Curie's report on better palliative and end-of-life care. It was looking at patient experiences and end-of-life care across the whole of England and Wales. Unfortunately, there were some concerning findings in relation to Wales, including that 36 per cent of people were severely or overwhelmingly affected by pain in their final weeks of life, while 19 per cent had no contact with their GP in the final three months of life. 

“I’m sure we’ll all agree that those statistics need to be addressed. Whilst the Welsh Government’s quality statement on palliative and end-of-life care was ambitious and very good on paper, it’s important that that’s put into practice. So, I do think that it would be good to receive an update from the Minister so that we can have a discussion, as Members in this Chamber, in order to make those ambitions that we have a reality.”

Speaking afterwards, Darren added:

“During my time as a Member of the Senedd, I have heard some utterly heart-breaking stories from constituents where the needs and expectations of patients and their loved ones have not been met. It is clear that things need to change and this needs to start now.”

ENDS