Assisted dying: information for members

Assisted dying is an umbrella term for “the involvement of healthcare professionals in the provision of lethal drugs intended to end a patient’s life at their voluntary request, subject to eligibility criteria and safeguards" [1] (p.4).

Physician-assisted suicide is “where healthcare professionals prescribe lethal drugs at the voluntary request of an adult with capacity, who meets defined eligibility criteria, to enable that patient to self-administer those drugs to end their own life” [1] (p.7).

Euthanasia is “where healthcare professionals administer lethal drugs at the voluntary request of an adult patient with capacity, who meets defined eligibility criteria, with the intention of ending their life" [1] (p.7).

Parliamentary Bills

• On 26th July 2024, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill was formally introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Falconer. The full text of the Bill was published on 29th July.
• We ran a webinar on the Bill on 23rd October, where we discussed the proposals in the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill and its implications for hospices in England and Wales. Watch a recording of the session.
• The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons by Kim Leadbeater MP on 16th October. The full text of the Bill was published on 11th November and the second reading of the Bill will be on 29th November.
• Read our summary of the key provisions in the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
• Over the coming months we will be reaching out to all our members in England and Wales so you will have the opportunity to shape and inform our response to the Bill. Please register your interest to attend one of our workshops in early December.

Senedd debate (October 2024)

• On 23rd October 2024, Senedd Cymru debated a motion in support of assisted dying following the Westminster proposals to change the law in England and Wales. The Senedd does not have the powers to directly legislate on assisted dying, but would play a key role in its delivery through the devolved health and social care system if it ever becomes law. 
• The non-binding motion was defeated: 26 Members of the Senedd voted against, 19 voted in favour and nine abstained.
• Over half the Members involved in the debate raised the need to improve access to, and investment in, palliative care and hospice services. 
• In his formal response, the new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS said improving palliative and end of life care and the sustainability of hospice provision in Wales were key priorities for Welsh Government.

Westminster Hall debate (April 2024)

• On 29th April 2024, a Westminster Hall debate was held on assisted dying.
• The debate was moved by Tonia Antoniazzi MP, following a public online petition calling on parliament to vote on a change of the law. The petition received over 200,000 signatures.
• Watch the full discussion.
• Read our summary of the debate.

Health and Social Care Committee report (February 2024)

• In February 2024, the Health and Social Care Committee published a report following its inquiry into assisted dying and suicide. Read our briefing for Hospice UK members.
• Read the Government's official response to the report.

Private Members' Bill

• A Private Members’ Bill on Assisted Dying was published for consultation in 2022, and had its first reading in Parliament in June 2023.
• The Bill was passed by a 70% majority in October 2023.
• In October 2024, the Bill went to the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council has the power to amend and delay a Bill for up to 12 months, but cannot veto a Bill that has already been passed by Parliament. The Legislative Council passed the Bill at the 'Principles' stage, but agreed to take further evidence before the 'Clauses' stage. It was suggested that this evidence should include hearing from the people who have brought similar Bills to other UK jurisdictions.

Agreement in principle

• The Jersey States Assembly voted in favour of establishing assisted dying for adults with a terminal illness, who have a life expectancy of six months (or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative disease).
• The States Assembly has requested that the Government of Jersey brings forward draft legislation for consideration by the end of 2025.
• Health professionals will have a legal right to refuse to participate in assisted dying.
• Find out more about assisted dying in Jersey

• To date, the Northern Ireland Assembly has not considered assisted dying.
• Naomi Long, Justice Minister, has stated that she considers any proposed change to end of life care (including to allow for assisted dying) to be primarly a matter for the Department of Health.
• If the Republic of Ireland passes legislation permitting assisted dying, this could have an impact on hospices in Northern Ireland (depending on the eligibility criteria).

• A Committee of the Oireachtas in the Republic of Ireland has published a report recommending that the Government introduces legislation allowing for assisted dying, in certain restricted circumstances.

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

• Liam McArthur MSP introduced a Member's Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) to the Scottish parliament on 27 March 2024.
• Read the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)'s briefing on the Bill. 
• The Scottish Government has confirmed it will maintain a neutral position on the Bill during Stage 1of the parliamentary process, and that Scottish Ministers will have a free vote on the Bill.
• Read our response to the publication of the Bill.
• Read our briefing for Hospice UK members on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
• Watch our webinar outlining the key principles of the Bill.

Progress of the Bill

• The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has gathered evidence and are now actively considering the Bill. Read Hospice UK's submission to the committee and our briefing on this process.
• The Finance and Public Administration Committee has issued a call for views, focused on financial issues. Read Hospice UK's submission.
• The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee have not, so far, issued a call for views but have written to Liam McArthur with a number of questions.

Medical Advisory Group

• Before the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was published, a Medical Advisory Group was formed to explore the healthcare-related issues and to offer advice and direction to Liam McArthur MSP.
• Read the Medical Advisory Group’s report.
• Read our response to the consultation on the Bill.

Assisted dying legislation in England and Wales (October 2024)

This webinar updated our members on the proposed legislation for assisted dying in England and Wales.

We gave an overview of:

• Hospice UK's position and role in the assisted dying debate
• Our activity responding to assisted dying legislation across the British Isles
• A summary of the parliamentary Bill(s) and assessment of the impact on the hospice sector.

We heard a range of insightful comments and questions from attendees, which will inform our ongoing response to the proposed legislation.

Watch the webinar

Assisted dying (April 2024)

In this webinar we gave an overview of the models of assisted dying in use around the world, updated our members on parliamentary activity and shared learning from St Christopher's hospice about opinions on assisted dying in the local community.

We discussed potential impacts on hospices, and heard views from attendees.

Watch the webinar

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (April 2024)

Following a series of workshops to consult our members in Scotland, we held a webinar to update hospices on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

In the webinar, we:

• outlined the key principles of the Bill
• shared the areas of focus that our Policy and Public Affairs team have identified following the workshops, which will inform our response to the Bill.

Watch the webinar