Scottish Conservative MSP secures greater financial security for terminally ill patients
Scottish Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour has secured cross-party support for an amendment to the Social Security (Scotland) Bill which ensures benefits for terminally ill people for two years.
Mr Balfour’s amendment, passed by the Social Security Committee in the Scottish Parliament, will ensure that terminally ill people receive benefits much quicker and will provide clinicians with greater flexibility for less predictable terminal illnesses.
The current definition of terminal illness used to support social security benefits stipulates a person is terminally ill if they are in the last six months of life.
This narrow definition of terminal illness that only includes those in the last six months of life unfairly excludes many people living with terminal conditions from accessing the benefits quickly, from the point of need.
The amendment was drafted in consultation with organisations involved in palliative care such as Marie Curie Cancer Care and MND Scotland.
Commenting on his success, Jeremy Balfour MSP, Scottish Conservative spokesman on welfare reform said:
“The adoption of this amendment is a great step forward for the care and support of terminally ill patients.
“This is obviously a worrying and emotional time for all patients and their families so to give them as much security and support throughout their care is vital.
“The adoption of this amendment is the result of highly collaborative efforts between myself and several charities who are experts in the provision and promotion of terminal care.
“I would like to pay tribute to Marie Curie Cancer Care and MNDScotland for working with us to secure this positive change for their patients.
“Further to her inflammatory comments in the press, I would urge Kezia Dugdale to apologise to those charities working tirelessly on behalf of terminal patients and their families, who drafted and promoted this amendment.”