Assisted Dying Bill Sparks Concerns Over NHS Funding

Strategic Insights -

Opponents of the assisted dying Bill have expressed concerns over the potential strain it could put on the National Health Service (NHS), with the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, confirming that no money has been allocated to fund the proposed service. The Bill, which is set to be voted on in the Commons on Friday, would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a three-member panel. While supporters claim the Bill has been strengthened with additional safeguards, opponents argue that the process has been rushed and that the NHS may not have the resources to support it.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed assisted dying Bill would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a three-member panel.
  • The Bill has been opposed by some MPs, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has confirmed that no money has been allocated to fund the proposed service.
  • Opponents have raised concerns over the potential strain on the NHS, with one Labour MP warning that an assisted dying service could "rob our stretched NHS of much needed resources" and become the "trojan horse that breaks the NHS."
  • Disability campaigners have voiced worries about coercion and how vulnerable people could be caught up in any new law.
  • The proposed legislation is supported by some MPs from medical backgrounds, as well as disability rights advocate Marie Tidball and former director of public prosecutions Sir Max Hill.
  • The Government has published an impact assessment estimating that the establishment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner and the three-member expert panels would cost between £10.9 million and £13.6 million per year.
  • The assessment also estimated that cutting end-of-life care costs could be reduced by up to £60 million after 10 years.
  • The Bill's sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, has stated that the proposed legislation is about giving dying people choice at the end of their lives, rather than focusing on cost.

Statistics:

  • 90 hours of parliamentary time have been spent on the Bill to date.
  • The Government's impact assessment estimates that the establishment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner and the three-member expert panels would cost between £10.9 million and £13.6 million per year.
  • The assessment estimated that cutting end-of-life care costs could be reduced by up to £60 million after 10 years.
  • 55 MPs supported the principle of assisted dying for England and Wales in November's historic yes vote.

Sources:

  • An impact assessment published by the Government, last month.
  • A statement from Health Secretary Wes Streeting to Labour MP Katrina Murray.
  • A speech by Labour MP Dame Siobhain McDonagh in the House of Commons.
  • A statement from the Government spokesperson.
  • A report by the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Psychiatrists.