Biography
Baroness Smith of Llanfaes has engaged extensively on health and social care topics through 23 debate speeches, with particular focus on end-of-life care and assisted dying, on which she contributed significantly during the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill debates, raising questions about Welsh devolution implications and ministerial powers. She has also addressed mental health in the context of youth justice, child poverty affecting health outcomes, and workplace safety including gender-based violence and harassment. Her contributions reflect a consistent emphasis on preventing harm and ensuring adequate protections, particularly for vulnerable populations including young people, children in poverty, and workers.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“…hat many young people who come into contact with the justice system have experienced trauma, exploitation, poor mental health, family instability and other forms of disadvantage. Any successful youth justice system must recognise those realities and respond accordingly.”
Record by topic
- Public health & prevention117th of 68814.0
- Assisted dying78th of 37110.0
- Unpaid carers87th of 2838.0
- Palliative & end of life care213th of 5686.0
- Mental health603rd of 8804.0
- Cancer332nd of 6224.0
- Learning disability & autism756th of 8992.0
- NHS waiting lists467th of 5342.0
What they’ve said
“…It further recognised that “food security, public health, and national security are increasingly threatened by climate-related impacts”. The Motion called for “emergency legislation” to address the scale and urgency of these challenges.”
Nature’s Rights Bill [HL] · 2026-07-03 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…I grew up in poverty on a council estate in Wales, and during that time I was also a young carer. I know what it means to take on complex responsibility early, to balance care with education and to live with the quiet strain that so often accompanies hardship at home. That experience simply does not pass.”
Child Poverty · 2026-06-18 · Read on Hansard ↗
“My Lords, I begin by recognising an important democratic moment in Wales: 11 days ago, Plaid Cymru secured the largest number of votes that any party has ever received in Wales, leading to the formation of the first Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government.”
King’s Speech · 2026-05-18 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…That would mean the law in England and Wales would change to permit assisted dying, but there would be no powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to implement assisted dying services in Wales or to oversee or regulate such services”. That clarification is important for the Committee.”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-03-20 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…The point was concisely put by Adam Price during that debate: “Supporters of assisted dying do not argue for access determined by wealth. Opponents do not argue for a system outside NHS governance in a matter as grave as this … No country’s Parliament should have to stand aside while another decides the terms on which…”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-03-20 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.