Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 321
Published 29 February 2024
Conclusions (9)
1
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 11
Our aim for this report is for it to serve as a basis for discussion and debate in future Parliaments. We have therefore endeavoured to bring together a comprehensive and up-to-date body of evidence relating to this difficult, sensitive, and yet, crucial subject. The debate on AD/AS is not new, …
Government Response Summary
The government states that should Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide legislation be enacted, it will discuss its practical and constitutional implications for England and Wales with the devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies.
3
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 38
A view put forward by some who have provided evidence to us was that the current state of the law is unclear.
Government Response Summary
The government's response details funding for hospices, including £25 million for children's hospices in 2024/25, and discusses disparities in hospice access, completely sidestepping the recommendation regarding the clarity of the law on Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide.
5
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 40
We also heard about the documentation which has had to be secured as part of the application, including a medical report for the person applying. We note that the General Medical Council’s guidance for Investigation Committees assessing a doctor’s fitness to practice following an allegation of a doctor’s encouragement or …
Government Response Summary
The government states it does not plan to establish a national strategy for death literacy and outlines existing palliative and end-of-life care strategies and training, but does not address the recommendation for revised guidance from the GMC and BMA on doctors assisting with medical reports for assisted suicide abroad.
7
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 142
In the evidence we received we did not see any indications of palliative and end- of-life care deteriorating in quality or provision following the introduction of AD/ AS; indeed the introduction of AD/AS has been linked with an improvement in palliative care in several jurisdictions. We also conclude that jurisdictions …
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.
8
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 143
When we undertook this inquiry, we were keen to learn as much as we could from international examples and we hope that by putting the evidence we have gathered into the public domain, we can help to further inform the debate on AD/AS in the UK. The fact that people …
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.
9
Conclusion
Deferred
There are as many ways to operate AD/AS as there are jurisdictions which have legalised it, but there are two distinct models: one limiting its availability to those with a terminal illness and the other adding provision for unbearable suffering. What has become clear to us is that better data …
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.
10
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 189
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 …
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.
11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 210
Practice across the world where AD/AS is legal is varied in the respect of capacity assessments for AD/AS. We heard that any such assessment should be undertaken by professionals who have undertaken necessary training on capacity assessments, particularly in relation to vulnerable groups.
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.
12
Conclusion
Deferred
Throughout our inquiry into AD/AS, the importance of safeguards and protections, and the question of whether they can be sufficient, has been a central feature, as has the related question of assessing capacity. Hearing from various representatives of healthcare professionals, as well as from healthcare professionals directly, it is clear …
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.