Background At the start of 2024, an assisted dying (AD) bill was due to be published in Scotland and the hospice sector had asked for support to explore the issues. A safe, supported environment was viewed as critical to allow colleagues to discuss the potential impact on the hospice sector (Gerson, Koksvik, Richards, et al. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2020 Jun;59(6):1287–1303.e1).

Aim Allow hospice staff and volunteers (across all roles) to explore in a safe space (CILIP. Leading Libraries Series: Leading for Dialogue: Holding a space for dialogue. [internet]) what the legalisation of AD might mean for them, their hospice and for the hospice sector.

Method We ran three workshops - one online and two in-person. Numbers limited for each workshop to allow for small breakout discussion groups throughout each session. All workshops were led by an academic, who provided a factual overview of AD in operation around the world and set rules to support discussion:

• Confidentiality.

• Don’t make blanket statements – speak from the ‘I’ position.

• Seek to explore ideas rather than to preach.

Supporting staff were also in attendance; they participated in the sessions but also had responsibility to facilitate the small group discussions if required – e.g. if any conflict was emerging.

Results Over 100 attendees with the majority of hospice staff and volunteer roles represented, and most hospices in Scotland represented.

Positive feedback - attendees felt that they had been given an open and safe space to ask questions/discuss any professional concerns; and that they had an increased understanding of what AD is in practice and would be more confident engaging in further discussions about AD within their hospice (Wright, Chan, Fishman, et al. Soc Sci Med. 2021;289:114366).

Feedback included: ‘very helpful in opening up debate and discussion on a topic that has been avoided for too long within the Hospice world’.

Conclusion These events worked well but were resource intensive. The key issues for the hospice sector discussed during these workshops are summarised in a blog (Richards. What are the implications of the proposed Assisted Dying Bill (Scotland) for the hospice sector? Themes from 3 Hospice UK workshops. End of Life Studies [internet] 2024 May 02).