Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner has backed a campaign questioning the scope of the UK’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Turner, alongside celebrities Gail Porter and Stephanie Waring, warns that the legislation could enable an assisted death for those with eating disorders.
Turner disclosed her teenage struggle with bulimia nervosa. The 29-year-old actress experienced the disorder during her formative years. Her personal experience drives her opposition to the current bill structure.
The actress signed an open letter coordinated by eating disorder charity Eat Breathe Thrive, sent to members of the House of Lords examining the draft legislation at Committee stage.
The letter states that people with eating disorders such as anorexia, would be eligible for assisted suicide under the current proposal when unable to access or unwilling to accept treatment. The signatories, which include many eating disorder charities and mental health organisations such as Mind cite healthcare system capacity constraints as a critical factor.
The coalition argues that many young people capable of recovery might receive lethal medication during periods of despair and depression.
Chelsea Roff, Eat Breathe Thrive founder, also dismissed claims from some pro-assisted dying advocates that the letter was scaremongering, with evidence of over 60 people who underwent assisted dying between 2012-2024 with eating disorders. These cases occurred in jurisdictions with assisted suicide or euthanasia laws, including the US State of Oregon, the model for the draft bill in the House of Lords.
The patients were not inevitably dying individuals. Their illnesses became life-threatening due to absent effective treatment access.
Jessica’s case illustrates the concerns. The 36-year-old Colorado resident with anorexia and depression received a lethal drug prescription after medical assessment deemed her condition incurable. Family reports indicate Jessica repeatedly expressed a desire to live but could not access the treatment and support she so desperately needed.
The problem is the legislation as drafted, defines “terminally ill” in terms that potentially encompass eating disorder complications. Severe starvation effects, vomiting complications, or even insulin restriction in Type 1 diabetes cases could all qualify.
The UK’s healthcare system, which is under huge strain, further compounds the risk. Severely ill patients unable to access treatment could receive assisted death assessments during vulnerable periods and feel pressure to end their lives.
Attempts to address the shocking lack specific of safeguards for eating disorder patients and many other problems were rejected in the House of Commons, during the Committee Stage, where a majority of the MPs who were scrutinising the Bill had voted in favour of the law, dismissing appeals from doctors and other experts.
In an attempt to sort out the legislation, peers have tabled over 950 amendments. This number, which is seen as exceptionally high, shows the concerns of peers about the current bill.
Opposition spans to the Bill comes from multiple concerns beyond eating disorders. Disability rights groups, faith organisations, and medical professionals have all raised distinct objections. They have now been joined by celebrities with experience of eatong orders. Gail Porter emphasised that international evidence cannot be dismissed. The TV personality stated that eating disorder patients deserve living support rather than death assistance.
Stephanie Waring, former Hollyoaks actress, has described the mental state during eating disorder episodes. She has also highlighted feelings of hopelessness and fear
Waring argued patients require treatment and understanding rather than death facilitation. Sentiments ecohed by healthcare practitioners who gave evidence to a House of Lords Committee earlier this month. They questioned the bill’s medical assessment protocols. Eating disorders create complex diagnostic scenarios requiring specialised expertise.
They pointed out the legislation lacks specific training requirements for assessing eating disorder patients and general medical practitioners may lack sufficient specialised knowledge for accurate prognosis determination and recovery timelines vary significantly across eating disorder cases. Patients showing minimal improvement might recover with different treatment approaches or extended timeframes.
In other developments, Dame Sarah Mullally the new Archbishop of Canterbury voiced her opposition to the legislation. Faith leaders, from all the major religions have argued the bill violates sanctity of life principles.