CHARITIES have welcomed the removal by ministers of a six-month time limit on fast-track benefit payments for the terminally ill.
Kezia Dugdale, the former Scottish Labour leader, pictured left, raised the issue with Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, following a report many dying patients would miss out on vital support.
More than 50 health specialists, including eminent university experts, wrote a letter to The Times saying patients with conditions such as motor neurone disease (MND) and heart failure would have to wait much longer for benefits and go through more assessments because they cannot prove they will die in six months.
The legislation had originally proposed extending the definition of terminally ill to two years to live, but ministers tabled an amendment setting it back to the current UK rules of six months.
However, Jeane Freeman, the social security minister, yesterday revealed that the plan for a time limit will no longer form part of the Scottish Government’s social security bill.
Freeman has put forward a new amendment to ensure it will be down to the clinical judgement of medical professionals to identify when a person is terminally ill and allow them to be automatically fast-tracked to the highest rate of disability benefits when they
are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Richard Meade, Marie Curie’s head of policy in Scotland, said: “We are delighted that the minister has listened to our and other’s concerns and made this possible.
“We also want to thank all the opposition MSPs who have continued to make the case for a fairer definition of terminal illness.”
Craig Stockton, chief executive of MND Scotland, also welcomed the development.
“When the Bill comes into effect it will make a real difference to people affected by MND in Scotland allowing them to be fast-tracked for benefits and removing some of the worry and distress that they currently face.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support on this issue and for making a real positive change in Scotland’s social security system.”
Freeman said: “Working through the best approach to terminal illness for our new social security system in Scotland has been the most challenging aspect of this legislation.
“We are all determined to get this right for both the people of Scotland and our medical professionals.
“I believe that we have arrived at the right solution to ensure that people who are already in extremely difficult circumstances are able to access the maximum level of financial support they are entitled to – quickly, with dignity, and with no assessment process involved.”
Scottish Labour MSP Mark Griffin said: “This is a victory for campaigners and the terminally ill.”
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