Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Deferred
Paragraph: 189
Ensure healthcare professionals' participation in assisted dying is voluntary, never imposed, if legalised.
Conclusion
Medical professionals would have an important role in any system of AD/AS, although the details are for Parliament to determine should it move to legalise AD/ AS. During our inquiry we have heard from healthcare professionals who were content to be involved, from others who were supportive of the practice but did not want to participate themselves, as well as from those who were opposed to the practice in its entirety. We heard evidence that in the event that Parliament were to legislate for AD/AS a decision to participate should be freely taken by the individual healthcare professional and never imposed on them.
Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Paragraph Reference:
189
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The long-held position of successive UK governments is that any change to the law of England and Wales in this area is a matter for Parliament and an issue of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than one for government policy. It would be for the UK Parliament to develop a specific proposal on AD/AS reform, not the Government, because this is a matter of conscience.