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).

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill

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.

This Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to get medical help to end their own lives. This follows similar assisted dying legislation progressing in Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

We have put together a briefing for hospices about the 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.

A parliamentary Bill on assisted dying was introduced into the House of Commons by Kim Leadbeater MP on 16th October. The full text of the Bill is due to be published ahead of its second reading on 29th November.

We will be running a Big Conversation webinar on the Bill on 23rd October, where we will discuss the proposals in the Bill and its implications for hospices in England and Wales.

Westminster Hall debate

On 29th April 2024, a Westminster Hall debate was held on assisted dying. It 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, which triggered the debate. Watch the full discussion here.

We have produced a summary of the debate.

Health and Social Care Committee report

The Health and Social Care Committee has published a report following its inquiry into assisted dying and suicide.

Find out more

Read our briefing for Hospice UK members.

The Government has published an 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.

A report on the detail of the Bill was expected in March 2024.

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). 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, however the Justice Minister Naomi Long 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).

Republic of Ireland

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.

Find out more

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 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.

Progress of the Bill

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has gathered evidence to inform their consideration of the Bill. Read Hospice UK's submission.

The Finance and Public Administration Committee has also 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 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, and his team.

• Read the Medical Advisory Group’s report.
• Hospice UK submitted a response to the consultation on the Bill.