London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – MPs are ready to vote on Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill, which seeks to legalize medically assisted death for terminally ill patients under strict protection; voting is expected on Friday 29 November in the House of Commons.
The UK parliament is poised to make history with a vote on the legalization of assisted dying for terminally ill patients in England and Wales.Â
On Friday, Labour’s Kim Leadbeater private member’s bill will be debated from 9:30 am, with the vote expected around 2:30 pm in the House of Commons.
Approximately 160 MPs are expected to participate in the five-hour debate in Parliament on the bill, which would allow assisted dying for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live.
The assisted dying bill has not been brought to the House of Commons for almost a decade, it was rejected in the last vote, which took place in 2015. A bill on the same topic was presented in the House of Lords in 2022 and reached its second reading.
Sir Keir Starmer, who has stayed neutral on the bill, announced he will also cast a vote on the proposed legislation, with campaigners hopeful he will back it.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, and Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary; Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, are set to support the bill, while Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister; Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary; and Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, will not vote in favour of assisted dying.Â
What is the new assisted dying bill?
The assisted dying bill presented by the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, proposed that adults with a terminal illness, expected to pass within six months, can request assisted death if they have the mental capacity and express a clear, voluntary wish.
To be eligible for assisted death under the proposed bill, the person must be a resident of England or Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months. They have the mental capacity to make the decision and express a clear, informed, and voluntary wish to die, free from coercion or pressure and be expected to die within six months.
A High Court judge must review the case and may question the individual or others, with a further 14 days allowed for the ruling, which can be shortened to 48 hours in certain cases.
What is the current law on assisted dying in the UK?
Assisted dying in the UK is illegal under the Suicide Act 1961, which imposes a penalty of up to 14 years in prison for anyone convicted of assisting or encouraging another person to end their life.
This strict law applies to England and Wales, with no allowances for cases involving terminal illness or unbearable suffering, reflecting a firm stance against assisted dying.
Currently, laws across the UK prohibit individuals from seeking medical assistance to end their lives.
The law is under scrutiny, with new proposals being considered by Parliament aimed at legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill individuals.
What happens during assisted dying?
During assisted dying, individuals facing terminal illness are given the means to end their life, typically via prescribed medication.
The process starts with a formal request, followed by a medical assessment to confirm eligibility. Multiple requests are usually required to ensure the decision is voluntary and considered.
After eligibility is confirmed, the individual can choose when to take the medication or have it administered by a healthcare provider. they can also revoke their request at any time, ensuring full autonomy. This structured approach aims to offer dignity and prevent abuse.
What is the difference between assisted dying and euthanasia?
Assisted dying and euthanasia are distinct in terms of who performs the final act.
The National Health Service (NHS) explains that assisted dying involves a terminally ill person receiving a lethal drug from a medical professional, which they self-administer.
Euthanasia is when a doctor directly ends a person’s life by administering a lethal dose of medication to ease their suffering.
Under the Suicide Act (1961), assisted suicide, categorized under assisted dying is illegal and punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Meanwhile, euthanasia can be treated as either manslaughter or murder, with sentences ranging from extended incarceration to life imprisonment.
Is euthanasia painful for humans?
Euthanasia, meant to ensure a peaceful death, may carry risks of discomfort, experts warn. Dr. Campbell highlights potential side effects of pentobarbital, including gangrene and tissue irritation, when administered at high doses.
Pentobarbital is frequently used in euthanasia procedures.
Reports also reveal cases where patients remained conscious or regained awareness, challenging the notion of a pain-free, dignified death and raising ethical concerns.
What type of euthanasia is legal in the UK?
In Britain, passive euthanasia is the only form permitted by law. This involves withdrawing or withholding life-sustaining treatment, allowing a patient to die naturally.
Active euthanasia, including voluntary, non-voluntary, and involuntary forms, remains illegal. Involuntary euthanasia is treated as murder or manslaughter throughout the UK
Meanwhile, debates over assisted dying continue to gain momentum, with calls for legislative changes to offer terminally ill patients the choice of assisted dying under strict measures.
What is the Commission on assisted dying UK?
The Commission on Assisted Dying, launched in September 2010, aimed to assess the legal and policy framework governing assisted dying in England and Wales.
Its goals included evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of current laws, exploring potential frameworks for assisted dying, and identifying approaches that could gain public and professional acceptance.
What is the Assisted Dying Bill UK 2014?
The Assisted Dying Bill of 2014, introduced by Lord Falconer, proposed a legal framework for terminally ill, mentally capable adults in the UK to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Individuals with a condition expected to lead to death within six months could request help, with approval from two doctors and the High Court.
Though it gained significant support in the House of Lords, the bill failed due to time constraints before the 2015 general election.
How many countries allow assisted dying?
According to the organization Dignity in Dying, over 200 million people globally have legal access to assisted dying.Â
Switzerland legalized assisted suicide in 1942, and its Dignitas facility, open to both Swiss citizens and foreign patients, assisted 571 Britons between 1998 and 2023.
Austria has also legalized assisted suicide.
In the US, 11 states, including Oregon, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Hawaii, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine, and Washington, D.C., allow “physician-assisted dying.”
Canada permits voluntary euthanasia under the term medical assistance in dying. It may be carried out by a doctor or nurse practitioner, either directly or through self-administered medication. Spain and Colombia have also permitted assisted dying.Â
Under New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act, assisted dying is legal for adults in their final months of life to request help from a medical professional.
The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg are the three countries where laws permit individuals who are not terminally ill to seek assistance in death.