A Bill to confer on patients a right to choose where to receive palliative care; and for connected purposes.
The Bill would make provision for patients to request where they received palliative care: in a hospital or specialist hospital, in a hospice or at home. It would require the relevant NHS body to take all reasonable steps to fulfil such requests. The Bill also makes provision for regulations governing standards of palliative care, which is defined in the Bill as 'care given with the intention of improving the quality of life of persons with a terminal illness.'
House of Commons
14 October 2009
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Palliative Care Bill would give patients the right to choose where they receive palliative care, such as in a hospital or specialist hospital, in a hospice, or at home. It would require NHS bodies to take all reasonable steps to fulfil those requests and would set out standards for care through regulations, with palliative care defined as care aimed at improving quality of life for people with a terminal illness.
The bill originated in the Commons and had its 1st reading in January 2009 and its 2nd reading in April 2009. It is currently at the 2nd reading stage in the Commons, with no further progress information provided.
Generated 21 February 2026
21 Jan 2009
24 Apr 2009
The Bill was debated at Second Reading on 24 April. The House of Commons voted against the Bill being sent to a Public Bill Committee. There will be no future business on this Bill in the current Session.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
