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Legislative bills

Assisted Dying Bill Sparks NHS Funding Concerns as MPs Prepare to Vote

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

MPs will vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on Friday, which could see it progress to the House of Lords or fall. The Bill, which would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death, has raised concerns about the availability of funds to support the new service. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that there is no money allocated to fund the Bill, and opponents warn that it could divert much-needed resources from the NHS.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Assisted Dying Bill, also known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, is a private members' Bill that could allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to apply for an assisted death.
  • The Bill has been debated for over 90 hours in Parliament and has undergone significant changes, including the replacement of a High Court judge requirement with a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that the Government is neutral on the issue and that there is no money allocated to fund the service, which could cost up to £13.6 million a year.
  • Opponents, including the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Psychiatrists, have raised concerns about the Bill's potential impact on the NHS and the lack of safeguards.
  • Labour MPs have called for a delay in the vote, citing concerns that the Bill has not been fully scrutinized.

Statistics:

  • The operational costs of setting up an assisted dying service could be up to £13.6 million a year (Government impact assessment).
  • There could be up to 4,500 assisted deaths in a decade, saving the taxpayer up to £90 million in healthcare and benefits and pensions payments (Government impact assessment).
  • Over 90 hours of parliamentary time has been spent debating the Bill thus far.

Sources:

  • "Assisted dying 'could be the Trojan horse that breaks the NHS'," by Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph, [no date]
  • "Assisted dying Bill: Campaigners hold demonstration in support of new law", BBC News, [no date]
  • "Assisted dying 'could rob NHS of much-needed resources', Labour MP warns", The Telegraph, [no date]
  • "Assisted dying Bill: Health Secretary Wes Streeting says there's no money to fund the new service", The Telegraph, [no date]
  • "Assisted dying: Patients 'should have right to die' in their own homes", The Telegraph, [no date]
  • "Assisted dying: Tory rebels try to block Bill with amended clause", The Telegraph, [no date]

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