To try and get my Dad back to the UK so he can die here

I think the idea of "bringing Scotland to him" is a good one. Maybe contact some of the Scottish/American associations who might point the way. The American Scottish Foundation is one, the Chicago Scots another and there are more.

Without wishing to judge your motives at all, I think what you are all proposing is quite ambitious and comes from a good place, but is not necessarily an achievable one.

I'd speak to the medical team again before deciding anything. It may not be in anyone's best interests to do it the way you are proposing at the moment. If things improved maybe, but not until you have a proper plan in place in Scotland before he arrives.

I am sorry for you all, it is a terrible time and sometimes grief and worry can result in rash decisions out of pure love and worry. Take care of yourselves.

My brother was in a similar situation. There were so many what ifs. I told him that it wasn't possible ( it might have been possible but the costs were spiralling). Once I said that he relaxed and died at home.

When my dad needed a hospice, there were no spaces available. A friend's dad had been a day patient at a hospice and they offered him a full time place eventually. But my dad got ill really suddenly. He needed a place right away and there was nothing. He was accommodated in an NHS facility after a few weeks in hospital and he was extremely lucky to get it.

I'm a community nurse, I work in Scotland. Firstly register with a local GP as soon as he arrives here and ask for a referral to the community nurses most surgeries have community nurses liked to their specific surgery and they should be able to come out and assess your father within 48 hours (unless you are in an exceedingly remote location) and an urgent referral to the palliative care team. I can assess a patient, order a patient a hospital bed which if available will be delivered the next day, an air mattress, commode etc. I also liaise with the palliative team, the GP and other service e, g. dieticians. Personal care in Scotland is free and is likely as its time crucial to be provided by CTAC if your father is EOL.
I work for the NHS; which means free care at the point of delivery and according to need, we do not question if a patient is entitled to care, what your nationality etc or if you've recently moved to Scotland from the US or Mars. If your father needs help he will get it no questions asked.

I'm sorry that you find yourself in this situation op. I think someone needs to tell your dad that this is a silly idea.-

What a hard situation. I lost a dear relative to that horrible cancer and know he has done amazingly well to get this far.
Another one saying forget the spouse visa. Contact the visa section and explain plans have changed and ask for an ETA. Or better. Help him accept the travel will be very hard to arrange with insurance etc and travel to see him instead. Take things from home.
I wish you all the best.

Please check if he would be entitled to NHS care. Living overseas and not paying UK taxes can remove the right to care as this is based on residency not nationality. You could potentially face a large bill at a time you are grieving

Another thing to consider is how exhausting the journey (getting to/from and around the airports as well as the flight) will be, particularly if he is in pain and finds sitting in one position uncomfortable. If they're northeast that's slightly less daunting, Florida way or west coast and that's a long flight.

I hope you manage to work something out and the time he has left is as good as it can possibly be.

My dad had terminal cancer last year. He moved into an end of life home - we/he would not have coped with this at his home. I think you are underestimating what is involved, sorry - probably best he stays where he is. My cousin died within a week of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, it happened so fast. Once it takes hold......sorry for your situation.

What a terrible situation, I’m so sorry.

I’d be very worried that being nonresident would make the whole thing complicated and stressful and ultimately he could not get what he wants. And his wife would be in a difficult position as well.

Is there any way to bring Scotland to him, with family and any aspects of culture he loves (with my dad that would be a piper)?

Sorry to hear about your dad OP.
How are you planning on physically getting him to the UK? Would he be able to get on a normal flight? Otherwise it will cost a significant amount of money for anything private with medical staff.

That is all nonsense. Every surgery i know has excellent palliative care. As a GP we would register immediately. One of us would go out to see him and start the palliative process. Same day referral to district nurse and community palliative care. Who are excellent. He can most certainly be facilitated to die at home. Am sick and tired of this scaremongering.

I’ve no advice to offer, OP, but sending you much sympathy and hoping you can get Dad safely home to die in peace xx

Sorry to hear about your dad.

Definitely contact hospices in your area. My dad has a terminal illness and our local hospice arranged for the necessary medication, including pain relief, to be delivered to his care home.

My dad returned to the UK about 3 years ago after nearly 20 years abroad and had no problem registering with a GP.

District nurse can go in within hours of receiving a referral

Has she called the embassy? That might also be worth a try.
Would they be able to go to France for a short while so that you can visit there and so that he could take the train to the UK if flying becomes hard.

I’m sorry for your troubles.

How about contacting the British Embasy in the USA and the US Embassy in the UK for help.

I would be concerned he wouldn't get hospice at home care set up in time.
My mum died on end of life care in hospital last year. She was there for three weeks, and there was very little care. If there's any possibility that this might happen to your dad, he would be far better off staying in the US where hospice care is already set up. Also,Im very sorry 💐

Sorry to hear about your dad. I think the 6 month visa sounds perhaps an easier option.

Hospice care over here is really difficult to get. We got it for MIL but it was a nightmare getting a place. It’s likely he would die in hospital op sadly. X

Can she not cancel the spouse visa and go the UK as a visitor for 6 months? Sorry to hear about your dad.

Your MP and MSP may be able to help

It is worth considering his wife’s immigration status and finding out if she can apply for a 6 month tourist visa instead. It’s potentially a quicker way to get what she needs

The likelyhood is that he will end up dying in hospital over here if he’s not got long left. I say that because the support for end of life here is currently in crisis. There’s little guarantee that he would get hospice support, he’d likely struggle to get a GP appointment as he won’t be registered with one, so he would be struggling with pain.

This is the Scotland equivalent of England's Continuing Healthcare, where a hospital grade bed is provided at home, with GP and nursing services for end of life:

www.careinfoscotland.scot/topics/how-to-get-social-care-support/hospital-based-complex-clinical-care/