APCSW response to Impact Assessments on Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill – 14 May 2025

Statement from the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers

Response to the Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment reports on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

14 May 2025

The Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW) represents over 200 specialist palliative care social workers working across the UK in hospices, hospitals, and community settings.

In this statement we wish to correct an error in the Impact Assessment (1A) and to make some brief comments ahead of the third reading of the Bill on 16th May.

Firstly, we wish to make it clear that we have consistently taken a neutral position on the question of whether assisted dying should be legalised. We wish to correct the reference to our organisation in the Impact Assessment, which lists us among those that have declared themselves as being formally opposed to this proposed legislation (Impact Assessment p39, reference 47).

Secondly, we would like to advocate for earlier and more robust involvement of specialist social workers.

As we have said in our previous statements, we welcome the inclusion of a social worker as a member of the decision making panel, alongside a psychiatrist and lawyer. We believe this has significantly enhanced and fortified the safeguards outline in the Bill. Social workers’ comprehensive experience and expertise in the areas of mental capacity and safeguarding mean we are optimally positioned to support a holistic and person centred assessment. Social workers have a well-established role in balancing protection and empowerment, particularly where people may be vulnerable or disadvantaged.

However, we would like to draw attention to some of the points that are made in the Equality Impact Assessment. This highlights the increased vulnerability of people who

Association of Palliative Care Social Workers statement – 12 May 2025 Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

are disabled or disadvantaged by factors such as poverty, membership of certain ethnic minority groups, or as older people who are dependent on others for their care.

Reflecting these concerns, we argue that the legislation – if passed – should include an explicit requirement for the involvement of a suitably qualified and experienced social worker at an early stage of the decision making process. This would allow time for social workers to undertake a holistic assessment and to ensure that all reasonable measures had been taken to ensure a reliable assessment of mental capacity; and rule out any form of coercion. It would also allow time to identify and explore all available sources of material support or specialist care that could materially affect the person’s comfort and decision making.

This early intervention would deliver a more robust and reliable process of safeguarding. It would serve to allay any concerns on the part of those involved in the subsequent stages of the assessments and reduce the risk of distressing challenges and delays in the final stages of decision making.

For more information, please refer to our full position statement and proposal for a new professional role for an Approved Palliative Care Professional.i

Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW)

12 May 2025

i Association of Palliative Care Social Workers Statement on Assisted Dying, https://apcsw.org.uk/