Assisted Dying Bill: Key Points for England and Wales
On Friday, MPs will debate and vote on a proposed law that would allow terminally ill people in England and Wales to choose to end their life. The bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, represents a significant potential change in end-of-life legislation.
Proposed Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, a person must:
– Be over 18 and registered with a GP in England and Wales for at least 12 months
– Have mental capacity to make an informed decision
– Be expected to die within six months
– Make two separate, witnessed declarations about their wish to die
– Be assessed by two independent doctors with at least seven days between assessments
Key Procedural Details:
– A High Court judge would need to approve each request
– The patient would have a mandatory 14-day waiting period
– The patient would self-administer the life-ending substance
– Coercing someone would carry a potential 14-year prison sentence
Political Landscape:
The bill is a private members’ bill, with the government remaining neutral. MPs will have a free vote, meaning they can decide independently without party instructions.
Some political figures supporting the bill include:
– Sir Keir Starmer (previously expressed support)
– Liz Kendall
– Ed Miliband
Opponents include:
– Wes Streeting (Health Secretary)
– Shabana Mahmood
– Diane Abbott
– Several former Prime Ministers
Supporters’ Perspective:
Advocates like Dame Esther Rantzen (who has stage-four lung cancer) argue the bill provides dignity of choice. Cancer patient Nathaniel Dye, who worked on the bill, believes it would prevent “horrific deaths” and make end-of-life experiences more compassionate.
The Dignity in Dying campaign notes that currently, up to 650 terminally ill people end their lives alone and traumatically each year.
Opposition Concerns:
Critics, including Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson, worry about:
– Potential coercion of vulnerable people
– Risks to disabled individuals
– Doctors’ ability to accurately predict six-month life expectancy
Medical Stance:
Both the British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing remain neutral on the issue.
International Context:
Over 200 million people worldwide have legal access to some form of assisted dying. Countries with established laws include:
– Switzerland
– Canada
– United States (11 states)
– Spain
– New Zealand
– Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
Next Steps:
If a majority of MPs support the bill on Friday, it will proceed to further debates and votes in the House of Commons and Lords in 2025.
A separate bill is also under discussion in Scotland, with slightly different proposed parameters.
