Doctors Urge MPs to Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill Citing "Real Threat" to Patients and Medical Workforce

A group of around 1,000 doctors have written to MPs urging them to vote against the Assisted Dying Bill, describing it as "simply not safe". The doctors, who work across the NHS, warn that the Bill poses a real threat to both patients and the medical workforce. They are concerned that the private member's Bill process has not facilitated a balanced approach to the collection of evidence and input from key stakeholders, including doctors, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. The doctors argue that the Bill will widen inequalities, provide inadequate safeguards, and is not safe.

Key Takeaways:

• The Assisted Dying Bill, also known as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, proposes to allow terminally ill adults with only six months left to live to apply for assistance to end their lives, subject to the approval of two doctors and an expert panel.
• The Bill currently faces opposition from around 1,000 doctors who have written to MPs urging them to vote against it, citing concerns over patient safety and the potential widening of inequalities.
• The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) have also raised concerns over the proposed legislation, citing "concerning deficiencies" and "serious concerns", respectively.
• The Bill's opponents, including doctors and medical colleges, are urging MPs to focus on improving end-of-life care rather than legislating for assisted dying.
• The Bill's proponents, including the Government's technology minister, argue that it is necessary to provide individuals with the option to end their lives if they feel they are a burden on their family.

Statistics:

• Around 1,000 doctors have written to MPs urging them to vote against the Assisted Dying Bill.
• 60 groups, including medical colleges and charities, have expressed opposition to the Bill or have raised concerns over its potential impact.
• The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) have both raised concerns over the proposed legislation, citing "concerning deficiencies" and "serious concerns", respectively.
• The Bill currently faces opposition from a range of stakeholders, including doctors, medical colleges, and charities.

Sources:

• The letter from around 1,000 doctors to MPs, published this week.
• "Concerns over assisted dying bill raised by Royal College of Physicians" (Royal College of Physicians, 2023).
• "Assisted dying bill 'not safe' according to thousands of doctors" (Press Association, 2023).
• "MPs vote to allow assisted dying in some cases" (BBC News, 2023).