Assisted Dying

People can have a good death if they are able to travel to Switzerland, which is out of reach for the majority of constituents. A dignified death should not be exclusive based on financial and physical ability.

The debate will continue whether it happens here or elsewhere, with similar legislation being considered in the Scottish Parliament, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. This issue needs to be addressed through a measured, reasoned debate.

He discussed his personal experiences with end-of-life care and highlighted issues such as slow pain relief and the need for better quality of life for terminally ill patients. He expressed shock at remarks by journalist Matthew Parris regarding assisted dying, emphasizing the importance of dignity and care.

Andrew Slaughter argued that public opinion demands urgent attention to assisted dying legislation. He highlighted the importance of improving palliative care and ensuring individual rights at end-of-life decisions, while addressing concerns about undue pressure on individuals.

Carla Lockhart opposes legalising assisted suicide, arguing that it is different from providing palliative care. She shares her personal experience of losing a father to cancer and emphasises the importance of valuing people's lives regardless of their condition or cost.

Assisted dying can serve as a catalyst for more resources directed towards palliative care. This has been observed in other administrations around the world. Caroline Lucas argued that the current blanket ban on assisted dying perpetuates inequality and highlighted how the lack of financial resources forces some to go abroad for assisted dying at great cost. She stressed the importance of safeguards within a regulated system to protect against coercion.

She expressed support for a fresh debate on assisted dying laws, arguing that terminally ill individuals should have the option to request medical help to end their lives with dignity. She cited examples of people taking desperate actions due to lack of legal provisions.

She discusses the widespread support for assisted dying and mentions her personal experience with watching her parents die under different circumstances. She supports a free vote on the issue and highlights the momentum in other parts of the UK, suggesting that individuals should have the choice between palliative care or assisted dying.

Damien Egan expressed that initial thoughts on assisted dying were naive after hearing personal stories about painful deaths. He called for caution, noting examples from Oregon where legislation has existed for 27 years with strict safeguards and good palliative care. He mentioned the importance of cooling-off periods and reassurance without complaints of coercion.

The majority of the public and professionals like doctors involved with palliative care oppose changes to the law on assisted dying. Palliative care services do not increase in countries legalising assisted suicide, instead, suicides in the general population rise.

Davis spoke about his change in perspective on assisted dying due to personal experiences, including the death of his mother from cancer and discussions with constituents. He highlighted the need for strict safeguards to prevent abuse and emphasised that a multi-day Second Reading and Report stage are required to address the issue comprehensively.

I am concerned that assisted dying could shift from ending suffering in death to a means of ending suffering in life. I cited an example of a young woman euthanised due to post-traumatic stress disorder and highlighted Oregon's statistics showing 52% of applicants for the service desired it because they did not want to be a burden, surpassing those seeking it to avoid pain.

Duncan Baker spoke about his personal experience with the death of his stepfather who had a heart attack followed by a stroke. He emphasized the importance of respecting individuals' rights to choose how they end their suffering and shared the story of Zoe Marley, whose mother and husband both died from terminal cancer.

Improving palliative care throughout the country can ensure a dignified death, and it is proper for doctors to relieve pain with large amounts of morphine if their primary purpose is not to kill the patient.

Fiona Bruce highlighted the importance of careful reflection and informed debate on assisted dying, citing a Survation poll from 2021 where only four in ten people correctly understood the term to mean providing lethal drugs to those with less than six months to live. She also noted that support for assisted dying has fallen since 2019. Noted that while the UK Parliament voted against legalising assisted suicide, Canada saw a rapid increase in medically assisted deaths from 1,000 in 2016 to over 13,000 by 2022.

After much contemplation, I support the principle of assisted dying legislation with proper safeguards in place. Addressed theological debates as a Christian and argued against unduly pessimistic views on human nature regarding pressure to make decisions for loved ones. Concluded by calling for the Government to consider voting on such legislation before the end of this Parliament. He briefly intervened to question if Mr Hancock's argument reflects a bleak view of assisted dying in practice. Asked whether harm to human life includes someone existing in pain and acute distress.

Criticised the idea that there would be effective safeguards, referencing examples from Canada where the scope of assisted dying laws has expanded beyond initial intentions. Highlighted coercive control and abuse as significant issues for vulnerable groups. Questioned the effectiveness of safeguards, noting that courts have been ineffective in identifying family abuse, suggesting they do not offer adequate protection.

Having been diagnosed with bowel cancer, the speaker expressed her personal experience of being offered options by doctors regarding treatments and asked why there is not an option for a terminal patient to decide whether they want to die.

Stressed the importance of upholding the sanctity of life and protecting healthcare's duty to save lives. Cited examples of vulnerable individuals feeling pressured by assisted suicide, emphasizing the need for caution to prevent such practices from transforming patient-doctor relationships. He raised concerns about the potential impact of proposed Scottish legislation on young girls with anorexia, emphasizing the importance of mental health services in saving lives.

The challenge lies in protecting individuals from pressures they may put on themselves to avoid being a burden, even though these pressures are different from external coercion.

He supports the petition for assisted dying and criticises the status quo of people facing agonising deaths. He mentions Esther Rantzen's influence on public support, questioning why politicians tolerate this situation when it is clear that many British people desire change in the law. The MP questioned the inconsistency in current laws surrounding assisted dying, citing examples of legal uncertainties and inconsistencies that lead to confusion and distress for those suffering from terminal illnesses. He asked for the Minister's professional opinion on these issues.

Lia Nici commended petitioners for allowing the debate on assisted dying. She recounted her friend Debbie Woodward's request to fight for assisted dying before she passed away from terminal cancer, emphasizing that people should have a choice about when and how they die.

He expressed the need for more informed debate and data on assisted dying. He highlighted a study showing that suicide rates among those with terminal illnesses are double the general population rate, suggesting palliative care cannot prevent all painful deaths.

He opposed assisted dying, citing concerns about its expansion beyond terminal illness to include those with mental health issues and disabilities. He stressed the sanctity of life and warned against the potential for abuse. Asked for intervention from Robin Millar, though specific content of his contribution not provided.

No contributions by other speakers are detailed in this portion of the debate.

Blake intervened to raise concerns about access to morphine for patients with opiate allergies during end-of-life care and suggested including this issue in the debate.

Blomfield discussed the impact of the current law on individuals with terminal illnesses, highlighting how it forces loved ones to plan deaths secretly. He mentioned that over 68,000 submissions had been received by a Health and Social Care Committee report, which found evidence suggesting that the current law fails people in need. Noted that during a BMA consultation, more doctors supported changing the law on assisted dying than opposed it. The hon. Gentleman has not read the Select Committee report which found no evidence of a decline in palliative care and that no jurisdiction broadened its law on assisted dying. He intervened to highlight a Select Committee conclusion that jurisdictions starting with terminal illness eligibility have not changed their laws to include 'unbearable suffering'. Discussed his father's experience and constituents facing terminal diagnoses, highlighting the premature decision to end their lives.

I highlighted the shifting stance of Frank Field on euthanasia and expressed appreciation for Dame Esther's advocacy. I questioned how many individuals would qualify under proposed assisted dying legislation, suggesting that it could increase suicide rates from 5,000 to potentially 15,000 a year if adopted at levels similar to the Netherlands. Emphasised the importance of conversations about death and highlighted family experiences with end-of-life care.

The Labour MP highlights the need for better investment in palliative care and research, addressing social factors that lead people to consider assisted dying. She emphasises improving NHS care, social care, and civil society to ensure everyone has a good end-of-life experience.

She called for parliamentary time to debate assisted dying and a vote on legalising it. She highlighted systemic inequalities as those with financial means have access to assisted death abroad, while others resort to secret methods or suicide due to the lack of safeguards.

The Health and Social Care Committee's report states that boundaries for assisted dying are often eroded, leading to an increase in numbers, particularly seen in Canada. The hon. Friend agrees this is a concern. Called for caution in debates on assisted dying, emphasizing the need to consider vulnerable individuals who may not have a voice. Commended Tonia Antoniazzi's balanced approach and the Health and Social Care Committee's report. Raised concerns about normalising suicide and expanding criteria for terminal illness, citing evidence from other jurisdictions where boundaries are eroded.

While opinion polls show support for assisted dying, some MPs remain conflicted due to personal beliefs about the Hippocratic oath and other ethical considerations.

Sarah Dyke highlighted the personal impact of assisted dying, mentioning her constituent Jonathan who died at age 46. She cited a petition with over 600 signatures in her constituency and shared statistics from research showing that 69% of respondents supported legal changes for assisted dying.

Simon Jupp supports assisted dying, stating that it should be available as an additional choice for terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live. He cites a personal conversation he had with someone whose spouse is terminally ill and in constant pain.

Siobhan Baillie expressed the weight of the debate and shared personal stories from constituents, including those who support assisted dying due to incurable illness and those who oppose it based on their experiences. She noted her evolving views over years and emphasised the need for thorough consideration with days of debate. Addressed individuals with terminal diagnoses who take their own lives prematurely due to anticipating inability to do so in future.

He welcomed the debate and expressed concerns about changing the nature of the NHS to include assisted dying. He cited examples from other countries where the scope of assisted dying has expanded beyond terminal illness, suggesting this could happen in Britain too.

The Health and Social Care Committee published a report on assisted dying, which received over 67,000 responses and included roundtables with people who have lived experience. The committee did not take a stance on legalisation but provided a well-researched basis for further consideration. Responded to discussions on Canada's medical assistance in dying provisions, noting that lawmakers can change laws. Emphasised that the slippery slope argument is often made but countered by politicians changing legislation as seen with Bill C-62 in Canada.

Living with terminal illness is distressing for individuals and their families. The speaker expressed concern about the practice of withholding food and water to accelerate someone's death, which was deemed lawful until 2015. She highlighted that assisting or encouraging suicide remains a criminal offence under section 2 of the 1961 Act. In March 2012, guidelines for the Crown Prosecution Service were established and supported by Members of Parliament. She addressed worries over the interpretation and expansion of assisted suicide laws, referencing clause 2 of a proposed Bill in Scotland that does not specify time limits for eligibility.

I am now of the mind that this needs to be done in Government time, so that it can go through the full Committee process, and so that we can do our job.

Asked Tobias Ellwood if a doctor diagnosing a terminal illness is part of manipulative coercion. The hon. Lady asks whether changing the law would take away someone's choice to end their life when they are ready, arguing that it only gives a choice to those who wish to do so.