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2w ago

Assisted Dying Bill Faces Key Commons Debate on Safeguards and Oversight

MPs will discuss over 130 amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, with a final vote expected in June.

Kim Leadbeater, MP for Spen Valley, reacts during a demonstration in support of assisted dying outside the British parliament after lawmakers voted in favour of the assisted dying law, in London, Britain, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo
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Dame Esther Rantzen said she had an “extremely limited’ future after drugs she was taken stopped working
Angela Kilenyi supports the assisted dying bill

Overview

  • The Bill, led by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, proposes legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales under strict conditions, including approval by two doctors and an expert panel.
  • Key amendments under debate include protections for conscientious objection, bans on advertising assisted dying services, and mandatory assessments of palliative care provision.
  • The removal of High Court oversight in favor of a three-person expert panel has drawn criticism from opponents, who argue it weakens safeguards for vulnerable individuals.
  • The Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have raised concerns about deficiencies in the Bill's current form, citing risks to clinical standards and patient protection.
  • While public support for assisted dying remains high, some MPs are reconsidering their positions; 28 defections could halt the Bill's progress before the final Commons vote in June.