THIS week, I started a new monthly constituency surgery at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, which is situated in Bellahouston Park in my ward.

The hospice celebrates its fortieth birthday this year, having spent the first thirty-five of those in its original home, at Carlton Place in the city centre. Over that time it has established itself as a vital asset serving Glaswegians and their families by providing crucial, compassionate care for those with life-limiting conditions.

Its purpose-built home, funded by a £21 million people-powered effort, is an incredible facility, designed with patients’ and families’ needs at its heart. It creates a home-from-home environment that is both warm and calming – and the care and compassion exemplified by staff and volunteers is palpable. I have experienced all of this at first hand in recent times. My mum was an in-patient for around a month at the turn of the year. The care she received there in her final weeks, days and hours was exceptional and my family and I will always be grateful for that.

Across its in-patient, outpatient and community-based services, the hospice supports around 1,200 new patients, families and carers each year. That’s thanks to the efforts of 800 staff and volunteers. Its integration with the NHS is an example of how community-based services can help reduce pressure on emergency hospital care and provide better for people’s needs in an holistic manner.

Having weathered the Covid-19 pandemic, through which the inpatient unit kept running 24/7 and many outpatient services moved online – all while fundraising via shops and events was not possible – the hospice now has a full calendar of events planned to celebrate its work over the past 40 years. I encourage Glasgow Times readers to check out what’s planned and to support their vital fundraising efforts.

The hospice movement in the UK over the past 50 years or so has done a huge amount to bring conversations about end-of-life care to the fore, though there is still often a lingering sense of taboo.

This will undoubtedly be challenged this year as there are plans by Liam McArthur MSP to introduce a members’ bill to the Scottish Parliament which would legalise assisted dying for terminally-ill adults in certain, controlled circumstances. The public consultation on the bill solicited the highest number of responses for any members’ bill in the history of the Parliament, with over 14,000 responses. Some 76% of respondents were supportive of the proposals, but those opposed include many people with concerns about safeguards and the implications for disability rights.

The last time this issue was considered, Patrick Harvie MSP took on a bill which had been introduced by the late Margo MacDonald. That was defeated at the first stage of the legislative process. While this is obviously an emotive issue, and one which will be challenging for legislators, I hope that this new bill makes it past stage one so that it can be debated in the greater depth it merits.