Political

Assisted Dying Bill passes through House of Commons

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed Third Reading in the House of Commons. The vote was 314 in favour, 291 against. My Death, My Decision and Humanists UK welcome the result.

Carmen Sumadiwiria, Director of Diversity at My Death, My Decision said: 

‘This is a day for the history books, where facts have prevailed over fear. Today’s vote reflects what the British public has known for years, that everyone deserves the right to choose a compassionate death. We are grateful to politicians who listened to evidence, reason, and the lived experience of dying Brits. This is a momentous victory for the overwhelming majority who support assisted dying, and we will keep working to make sure those voices continue to be heard.

‘We want to thank every parliamentarian who stood up today for dignity and common sense. Your courage has given hope to terminally ill adults across the country who simply want the choice to die peacefully and on their own terms. We are proud to stand with you and will continue to work for a fairer, kinder law.’

Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK, said:

‘The House of Commons has taken a historic step towards meeting the aspirations of the public, who overwhelmingly support having choice, dignity, and compassion at the end of their lives. We welcome this and now look forward to working with Lords on the legislation.

‘MPs have finally recognised the fact that assisted dying is already happening in this country. People are travelling to Switzerland if they have the money and mobility to do so. Others are dying in traumatic circumstances by suicide. Many more are suffering greatly, even while receiving the best possible care. Today, we are a significant step closer to ending that unnecessary and cruel suffering and MPs should be commended for taking this step. ’

Louise Shackleton accompanied her husband, Anthony, to Switzerland for an assisted death after he had been suffering from motor neurone disease for six years. She said:

‘Today, the majority of MPs did the right thing. They listened with compassion, and they chose dignity over fear. I’m so relieved that other families won’t have to go through what Anthony and I did, forced to leave our home, our loved ones, and our country just so he could have a peaceful death.

‘This law means that people facing unimaginable illnesses will finally have a choice. It means their final days can be filled with love, not fear, with family, not police interviews. I promised Anthony I’d fight for this, and today I can say we’ve been heard.’

The Bill will now progress to the House of Lords, which will further scrutinise it. It applies to England and Wales only. A private member’s bill in Scotland by Liam McArthur MSP recently passed its First Stage vote in the Scottish Parliament.

Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 or My Death My Decision Director of Diversity Carmen Sumadiwiria at carmen.sumadiwiria@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07879 391313

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision have people and their loved ones who would be affected by this change available for the press.

If you have been affected by the current assisted dying legislation, and want to use your story to support a change in the law, please email campaigns@humanists.uk.

Humanists defend the right of each individual to live by their own personal values, and the freedom to make decisions about their own life so long as this does not result in harm to others. Humanists do not share the attitudes to death and dying held by some religious believers, in particular that the manner and time of death are for a deity to decide, and that interference in the course of nature is unacceptable. We firmly uphold the right to life but we recognise that this right carries with it the right of each individual to make their own judgement about whether their life should be prolonged in the face of pointless suffering.

We recognise that any assisted dying law must contain strong safeguards and the international evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal shows that safeguards can be effective. We also believe that the choice of assisted dying should not be considered an alternative to palliative care, but should be offered together as in many other countries.

Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision are both members of the Assisted Dying Coalition, along with Friends at the End, Humanist Society Scotland, and End of Life Choices Jersey.

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Assisted Dying Committee Evidence Sessions Roundup

Last week, the committee overseeing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill held crucial evidence sessions, hearing from experts, medical professionals, and those with lived experience. The evidence sessions provided powerful insights reinforcing the urgent need for a compassionate, safeguarded assisted dying law.

We attended the evidence sessions at Parliament. Here are our five key takeaways from the sessions.

  1. Compassion Must Be at the Heart of This Bill

The committee invited loved ones and family members of individuals directly impacted by the current law to share their stories.

A profoundly moving testimony from Pat Malone highlighted the unbearable suffering faced by dying people. Pat’s sister had motor neurone disease and travelled to Dignitas to avoid the slow and harrowing decline she knew she would face in the UK. Although relieved to get the death she deserved, Pat will never accept that she had to travel “1,000 miles from home” to do it.

“She should have died in her house with her family and her dogs on the bed. She should not have been denied that.”

We also heard from Julie. Julie and her husband were living in Spain when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given three months left to live, so he opted for assisted dying. “It was a very peaceful, serene and beautiful death, as opposed to what it would have been like. He was able to speak to his relatives in Australia, his brothers in Belgium and other family members, and I was able to hold his hand.”

The personal testimony moved many on the committee to tears, and we highly recommend watching it back if you can. Watch from 15:00 PM for the family testimonials.

2. Coercion Concerns Are Unfounded

Evidence from Australia and the U.S., where assisted dying laws are in place, made it clear: coercion simply doesn’t happen. Safeguards ensure decisions are made freely, and in practice, many patients face more pressure to continue treatment than to end their lives.

It was very reassuring to hear from the American and Australian doctors who work extensively on assisted dying that they have no concerns over coercion.

Dr Ryan Spielvogal, Senior Medical Director for Aid in Dying Services at Sutter Health, USA, said: “I’ll tell you in practice, it just doesn’t happen. I have helped many people through this process in many states, and I have never seen a case of even suspected coercion. People just aren’t that good at acting.”

3. Doctors Should Not Be Gagged

Medical professionals shared concerns about the current restrictions on discussing assisted dying with patients. In countries with legal frameworks, open conversations improve end-of-life care, giving patients all available options rather than forcing them to seek information elsewhere and make lonely decisions.

When asked about a potential ‘gag clause’ that would prevent doctors from talking about assisted dying to patients, Dr Mulholland, Honorary Secretary at Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “We are very protective of our relationship as GPs, and want to give patients the options that they might want to choose for themselves. We are not pushing anyone to make any decisions, but supporting them through their end-of-life journey. We would want to protect that in whatever way, so we feel that a service we can signpost to would be the most appropriate as the next step.”

4. Eligibility Should Be Altered

Experts testified that the six-month prognosis requirement is too rigid. Many terminal illnesses do not follow a predictable timeline, and eligibility should focus on intolerable suffering rather than an arbitrary timeframe.

Dr Cam McLaren, a Medical Oncologist from southeast Melbourne, recommended to MPs that they “increase the eligibility criteria for an assisted death from six months to twelve” and remove unnecessary waiting periods.

Sir Nicholas Mostyn said that an arbitrary 6-month prognosis will unfairly discriminate against those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s: “I do believe very strongly—and this is not an expansion but a more appropriate focus or redefinition of terminal illness—that it should be focused on suffering.”

5. The High Court Requirement Is Unnecessary

Several legal experts expressed doubts about the need for High Court approval. Existing models in other countries show that robust safeguards can be upheld without adding unnecessary legal hurdles that could delay access to assisted dying for those in need.

Claire Williams, Head of Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Services, advocated for the Bill to move away from a High Court judge, instead having a multidisciplinary panel. “It is having that collective view, ensuring that everybody is happy and that it is exactly what the patient wants. I believe it should be a committee/panel-based approach for the final decision.”

We welcome any efforts to remove unnecessary barriers to compassion for individuals at the end of their lives.

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

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Former MP joins campaign for a compassionate assisted dying law

My Death, My Decision has expanded their team by hiring former MP and Government Minister, Dehenna Davison, to bolster their campaign for a compassionate assisted dying law.

With the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill progressing through Parliament, My Death, My Decision is advocating for vital enhancements to ensure the Bill remains both safe and compassionate. Dehenna Davison will play a pivotal role in supporting these efforts.

Whilst a Member of Parliament, Dehenna successfully lobbied for changes to victim support for families touched by one punch manslaughter, as well as for improved healthcare for those living with both lobular breast cancer and with migraine. 

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

‘We are delighted to have Dehenna join our team, bringing her extensive experience of Parliament and advocacy campaigns to My Death, My Decision, as we move to propose enhancements to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the remaining Parliamentary stages. With Dehenna’s help, underpinned by legal and medical expertise, we will work with MPs to ensure the law passed is safe, compassionate and workable.”

Dehenna Davison said:

 “My drive to enter politics has always been about fostering positive change. I am excited to continue this mission with My Death, My Decision, advocating for improvements to assisted dying laws that serve those in need. Parliament faces challenging decisions on this in the months ahead, and I look forward to supporting MPs to ensure the Bill incorporates strong safeguards while respecting individual choice.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request.

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

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What’s Happening Next with the Assisted Dying Bill?

Photo credit: Kerry Hogan/My Death, My Decision

The Assisted Dying Bill has passed its first major vote in Parliament, called the Second Reading. This means MPs have agreed to the general idea of the Bill, with 330 votes in favour and 275 against. The next steps involve carefully checking all the details and deciding if anything needs to be changed. Here’s a simple guide to what happens next:

Key Dates to Remember

  • December 2024: A small group of MPs will start examining the Bill in detail during something called the Committee Stage.
  • Mid-April 2025: The Committee must finish its work by this time so the Bill can move forward.
  • 25 April 2025: All MPs will look at the Bill again and vote on any changes during the Report Stage.
  • May–July 2025: The Bill will be examined by the House of Lords
  • 11 July 2025: This is the final deadline for everything to be agreed for the Bill to become law.

What Happens Next?

Step 1: Committee Stage

  • The Bill now goes to a smaller group of MPs, chosen to reflect a mix of opinions from Parliament. This group is called the Public Bill Committee.
  • The Committee will go through the Bill line by line, checking it carefully, fixing any problems, and suggesting improvements. These suggestions are called amendments.
  • To help them make decisions, the Committee might ask for evidence. This could include:
    • Inviting experts (like doctors, legal professionals, or campaigners) to share their opinions in person.
    • Asking organisations or individuals to send in written evidence, which is a way of explaining their views.
  • If the Committee decides to ask for evidence, they will explain how people can send their views and set a deadline for submissions.
  • Once this is finished it will move on to the Report Stage

Step 2: Report Stage

  • At this stage, all MPs—not just the ones on the Committee—can suggest changes. These changes will be debated, and MPs will vote on whether to accept them.
  • The Speaker of the House, who is in charge of keeping debates organised and fair, will decide which changes get discussed.
  • The Speaker may choose to group some of the changes together, to help keep the time and make it easier for MPs to vote on it.

Step 3: Third Reading

  • After the Report Stage, MPs will have a final chance to debate and vote on the whole Bill, including any changes that have been made. This is called the Third Reading.
  • MPs could vote against this at the third reading – which would stop the Bill altogether.

Step 4: The House of Lords

  • If the Bill is approved by MPs, it will move to the House of Lords. The Lords are not elected like MPs but include experts and experienced figures from different areas of life.
  • The Lords will go through a similar process: debating the Bill, suggesting changes, and voting.
  • If the Lords make changes, the Bill will go back to the Commons for MPs to decide if they agree. 

Other Steps That Need to Happen

Money Resolution

  • The Bill will need approval for any costs it creates, such as funding for the NHS or the courts. This is called a money resolution, and it is essential for the Bill to continue.
  • Only the Government can put forward a money resolution, and delays could slow down the Bill’s progress.
  • This should happen fairly quickly, and will include a shorter debate of up to 45 minutes.

Technical Changes

  • The Government might suggest small changes to make sure the Bill fits properly with existing laws. These changes usually happen during the Committee Stage to avoid causing delays later.

Discussions with Wales

  • Because health policy is managed separately in Wales, the UK Government will need to talk to Welsh leaders about how the Bill will work there. The Welsh Parliament has already raised concerns about the idea of assisted dying, which could lead to disagreements.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Why is there so much emphasis on time and deadlines?

  • This is a private members bill – which is where an individual politician brings forward a change in the law. Because it’s not the government trying to change the law there are extra rules – some previous attempts to change the law have failed because they’ve not had enough time to get through all the stages.

Does the recent vote mean I can have an assisted death now?

  • No. The 2nd reading vote that happened on the 29th November was just about the general idea of the Bill. It needs to pass all the stages outlined above first. Even after it passes all those stages, there will be an implementation period first of up to two years.

Who will be able to have an assisted death if this passes?

  • Right now, the Bill is only for people who have six months left or fewer, and the person will need the sign off of two doctors and a high court judge. 
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Over a third of Church of England priests support assisted dying

Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/church-of-england-priests-survey-gay-conversion-therapy-ban-assisted-dying-house-of-lords-net-zero-7kqg3dswr

Support for assisted dying among Church of England priests has grown significantly in the last nine years. Over a third of priests would support assisted dying for someone with an incurable disease.

My Death, My Decision hopes this revelation might help to foster a safe and open debate amongst the Church of England clergy on this vital issue, especially as Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man come increasingly closer to creating compassionate assisted dying legislation.

A recent survey by the Times of 1,185 Church of England priests conducted this month found that 35.5% of priests supported a compassionate assisted dying law, compared to 22% in 2014. While a majority do not want assisted dying legalised, opposition has dropped 15%, from 70% to 55%.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton described assisted dying as “profoundly Christian to do all we can to ensure nobody suffers against their wishes”. He told The Times: “Opinion is beginning to change as more and more clergy encounter those increasingly difficult experiences of terminal illness where even the best medical care leaves patients living their last days and hours in unconscionable agony and indignity.”

My Death, My Decision’s patron Reverend Canon Rosie Harper says: “The dignity and the compassion that every dying person is owed is still not available to us in this country. I long for [the law] to change and I hope that My Death, My Decision will be part of a wave of people, as most of the people in this country want it to change.”

A 2019 assisted dying poll by Populus found that 86% of people deemed regular churchgoers would support assisted dying under some circumstances. 82% of people who identified as Christian would support a change in the law.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:

“We know the majority of people in the pews support a compassionate, safe assisted dying law and it’s refreshing to see opinions at the pulpit slowly catching up. There is nothing Christian about forcing incurably sick people to have long, painful undignified deaths.

My Death, My Decision welcomes this wave of support shown by The Times survey, and we are glad to see opposition to assisted dying fall considerably too. People deserve to make decisions about their lives and ultimately their deaths. It is time Parliament legislates on this important issue.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/07/13/our-summary-the-assisted-dying-inquiry/ 

 

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DIGNITAS: “It’s about time” the UK changes law on assisted dying

The Swiss assisted dying organisation DIGNITAS has told parliamentarians that the UK should legalise assisted dying. Silvan Luley, a member of the organisation today gave evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee’s inquiry into assisted dying, along with other experts from Switzerland. 

Luley told the inquiry: “If you legalise assisted dying, it will improve conversations with patients, make it transparent, public, clear and make it possible to do research. Doctors will feel safe, people will feel safe.”

When questioned if assisted dying is at odds with palliative care, Luley replied that most Brits that visit DIGNITAS are grateful for the UK’s excellent provision of palliative care, but they say “I want to have my choice”. He added: “That’s the crucial point. It’s about choice.”

Switzerland has allowed assisted dying since 1942, as long as the motives are not selfish. It is one of the few countries in the world that does not have a residence clause, meaning citizens of other countries are allowed to have an assisted death. The number of British people who are members of DIGNITAS has soared by more than 80% in the past decade.

Dr Georg Bosshard, a practising geriatrician in Switzerland, said that Swiss people would find the UK’s blanket ban on assisted dying ‘unthinkable’. He added: “We should have varieties of possibilities for having a good death – we should have a society that meets the needs of different people and the wishes of a wide variety of people.”

Samia Hurst-Majno, Professor of Biomedical Ethics, warned the committee of both under-regulation but also overregulation of assisted dying. She added that “It’s an illusion that banning assisted dying protects vulnerable people.”

My Death, My Decision would welcome an assisted dying law in the UK that grants mentally capable adults the option of an assisted death if they are enduring unbearable suffering from an incurable physical condition.

Claire Macdonald, Director of My Death, My Decision, said:

“We must stop exiling Brits who are dying and suffering from incurable diseases to Switzerland. We must stop exporting compassion and let people have a choice at the end of their lives. 

The evidence the committee heard today was overwhelming. In Switzerland, assisted dying has been working for over 80 years, the system is safe, workable and gives people back their human rights.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/05/15/assisted-dying-inquiry-health-and-social-care-committee-takes-next-steps/ 

Watch the evidence session here: https://committees.parliament.uk/event/18436/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/ 

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Dominoes are falling: Majority of surgeons support assisted dying.

A majority of Surgeons support assisted dying, according to figures from a survey of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 61% of respondents to the survey said they personally support a change in the law. 29% said they were opposed and 10% undecided.

This has led the Royal College of Surgeons to end their opposition to assisted dying. 

52% said the Royal College of Surgeons should be supportive of a change in the law to permit assisted dying. 20% said the College should take a neutral position on the provision of assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults.

In relation to the role of doctors in any future assisted dying process, 59% felt doctors should be involved in confirming a patient meets the eligibility criteria; 42% thought doctors should prescribe the drugs and 23% thought that doctors should be present while patients self-administer the drugs.

Following the survey, the Council voted to adopt a neutral position on the issue. 

The British Medical Association ended its opposition and moved to a neutral position on assisted dying in 2021. This reflects the position of similar medical bodies including the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Medicine, Nursing and Psychiatrists.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Medical professionals are increasingly coming to the conclusion that assisted dying should be legalised in the UK. The Health and Social Care Committee must surely give due weight to this in their conclusions following the current inquiry into assisted dying.

The public support change, doctors across the spectrum support change – now politicians need to step up and give people who are incurably suffering or terminally ill the right to take control over their own bodies and, ultimately, their own deaths.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request

Read the survey here: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/about-the-rcs/government-relations-and-consultation/position-statements-and-reports/assisted-dying/ 

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/05/15/assisted-dying-inquiry-health-and-social-care-committee-takes-next-steps/ 

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Compassion lead to assisted dying law, say international experts

Today, the Health and Social Care Committee heard testimony from experts from countries where access to assisted dying is permitted based on ‘unbearable suffering’. In the first panel, experts from Belgium and the Netherlands explained that compassion was the primary motive behind their early adoption of such a law.

Experts also explained that having a law introduces additional scrutiny to end-of-life care. Professor Bernheim explained that Belgium and the Netherlands are where end-of-life issues have been studied the most intensely. He highlighted that since the law was introduced there has been “much more control, much more scrutiny, much more awareness, much more compassion”.

So far, debates in the UK on assisted dying have mostly been limited to the terminally ill, but this session showed that a law that extends to people who are incurably, intolerably suffering is the most compassionate way forward. Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne explained that she doesn’t think the six-month prognosis is logical and it could be interpreted as unfair.

My Death, My Decision would welcome an assisted dying law in the UK that grants mentally capable adults the option of an assisted death if they are enduring unbearable suffering from an incurable physical condition.

The experts showed that across the world, where assisted dying has been introduced, palliative care has dramatically improved. Professor James Downar has said that since the introduction of an assisted dying law, Canada has seen the most historic increase in funding for palliative care. Since the introduction of an assisted dying law, Netherlands and Belgium now have the most developed palliative care in Europe and in Belgium, confidence in the medical system is high, even higher than it was before the law was introduced.

Professor Downar explained that in Canada the vast majority of people who received assisted dying, over 80% had received palliative care and 98% had access to palliative care.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“It is heartening to hear from those on the frontline of assisted dying in other countries that the key driver for the introduction of a law was compassion. That is what drives our campaign for a law in England and Wales, because above all we want to end unnecessary suffering.

Research from the Office of Health Economics shows that even the best palliative care cannot alleviate suffering in thousands of cases each year. We urge the Health and Social Care Committee to help remedy this by recommending a compassionate law for the UK – following the 28 jurisdictions that have already done so.”

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Assisted dying law forces individuals to end their lives early, say top lawyers

Today, the Human Rights (Joint Committee) took evidence from four leading barristers and professors on Human rights and assisted dying. Parliamentarians heard from a range of legal professionals that assisted dying laws are currently forcing people to end their lives early. My Death, My Decision is calling for a compassionate assisted dying law for people who are intolerably, incurably suffering.

Data from the ONS released last year showed that people who are diagnosed with severe health conditions are considerably more likely to take their own lives. Several MPs in debates have shared evidence of loved ones taking their own lives. This includes MP Paul Blomfield, who told the story last year in a debate how his father took his own life after receiving a diagnosis for inoperable cancer.

When challenged about whether assisted dying in international jurisdictions can show a slippery slope, experts replied that in every jurisdiction where assisted dying has changed, this has been due to legal, justifiable and democratic changes.

Parliamentarians heard that internationally, where assisted dying laws exist with eligibility criteria and safeguards, they are fundamentally compliant with the Human Rights Convention.

Paul Bowen KC said: “Does having unbearable suffering give you certain rights you should be able to enforce? I think the answer is yes”. My Death, My Decision believes that any law in the UK should ensure that people who are experiencing unbearable suffering from a physical condition should have the right to end their lives.

Experts discussed the case of Debbie Purdy, who took her case to the UK courts and wrote a book titled “It’s Not Because I Want to Die”. Paul Bowen KC argued that for Debbie Purdy it wasn’t about the right to die, it was that she wanted to have the confidence that when the right time came she would be able to die with dignity, and it meant that once she had that confidence she would be able to live confidently.

The Health and Social Care Committee is currently running an inquiry into assisted dying. So far, they have published written evidence submitted to them as well as a summary of its investigations to date, including from the individual survey responded to by over 65,000 people. They have held oral evidence sessions with peers, experts and stakeholders from international jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, said:

“Our current law is clearly not working. We are punishing compassionate acts, placing unwarranted trauma on already grieving families, and wasting police time. 

The current inquiry into assisted dying must surely evaluate how the law in the UK is broken. No one should be forced to suffer against their will and we deserve the right to make choices about the end of our lives.”

Notes:

Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available upon request

For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow those who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.

Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/05/15/assisted-dying-inquiry-health-and-social-care-committee-takes-next-steps/ 

Watch the evidence session here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9a65aa72-d8ba-4dd0-9d81-7abe4614573e 

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Assisted Dying Inquiry: Health and Social Care Committee Takes Next Steps

 

Amid a flurry of planned oral evidence sessions and online roundtable discussions, the Health and Social Care Committee has at last published the written submissions made by various parties in January. However, as of 15th May 2023, there is still no timetable for completion of the inquiry. 

In their written submission to the inquiry, My Death, My Decision made it clear that at the heart of the assisted dying debate lie people with lived experience who are either terminally ill or suffering unbearably from incurable conditions. They cited the well-known cases of Tony Nicklinson and Paul Lamb, both of whom sadly died before they could see their goal of a humane change in the law achieved. 

MDMD made the case that all of this suffering is avoidable, but the UK has exported compassion abroad, for those who are able to travel and can afford it, because that is the only legal way to get help. There are also considerable legal uncertainties for those who accompany others, as the case of Sue Lawford in 2022 showed.

Nicely summarising the challenge faced by the UK, in their submission Dignitas – to live with Dignity – to die with Dignity, did not pull any punches. They described themselves as an emergency exit because “many countries’ governments and legal systems disrespect their citizens’ basic human right to self-determination and choice in life and life’s end, ban the topic with a taboo, and force them either to turn to lonely risky do-it-yourself suicide attempts or to travel abroad instead“.

You can see all submissions, with a search facility, here.

The Committee has also posted a summary of its investigations to date, including from the individual survey responded to by over 65,000 people.

The Committee made it clear that the survey was not a poll, so they have not said how many respondents were in favour or opposed – but the summary has some revealing information about the reasons given on both sides. For example, of opponents, 53% chose the sanctity of life as a reason for opposing, suggesting that many hold religious, rather than evidence-based,  grounds for opposing. 

Progress towards a law is underway close to home in Scotland, Jersey, the Isle of Man, and France. These jurisdictions aim to join the 28 around the world that already allow assistance to die, most recently Portugal, where the law was approved only last week. It remains to be seen when and how England and Wales will achieve the same.

Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision, says:

‘My Death, My Decision welcomed the inquiry by the Health and Social Care Committee and looks forward to its conclusions. We hope that in drawing those, the Committee listens above all to those who face unbearable suffering because of our absence of a compassionate assisted dying law. 

Decades of international experience show that a regulated assisted dying system with appropriate protocols can work well and maintain public confidence. By contrast, fears of abuse expressed by opponents whenever a law is introduced have not been justified in practice.”

 

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