Second Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide
Select Committee
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 321
29 February 2024
Government response
Third Special Report - Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide: Government Response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2023-24 · published 9 May 2024
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
1
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 11
Report offers comprehensive evidence base for future parliamentary debate on difficult AD/AS subject.
Conclusion
Our aim for this report is for it to serve as a basis for discussion and debate in future Parliaments. We have therefore endeavoured to bring together a comprehensive and up-to-date body of evidence relating to this difficult, sensitive, and …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that should Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide legislation be enacted, it will discuss its practical and constitutional implications for England and Wales with the devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies.
Department of Health and Social Care
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3
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 38
Current law on assisted dying and suicide perceived as unclear by some.
Conclusion
A view put forward by some who have provided evidence to us was that the current state of the law is unclear.
Government Response Summary
The government's response details funding for hospices, including £25 million for children's hospices in 2024/25, and discusses disparities in hospice access, completely sidestepping the recommendation regarding the clarity of the law on Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide.
Department of Health and Social Care
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5
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 40
Issue revised guidance for doctors on providing medical reports for assisted dying abroad.
Conclusion
We also heard about the documentation which has had to be secured as part of the application, including a medical report for the person applying. We note that the General Medical Council’s guidance for Investigation Committees assessing a doctor’s fitness …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it does not plan to establish a national strategy for death literacy and outlines existing palliative and end-of-life care strategies and training, but does not address the recommendation for revised guidance from the GMC and BMA on doctors assisting with medical reports for assisted suicide abroad.
Department of Health and Social Care
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7
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 142
Assisted dying introduction has not degraded palliative care; eligibility not expanded beyond terminal illness.
Conclusion
In the evidence we received we did not see any indications of palliative and end- of-life care deteriorating in quality or provision following the introduction of AD/ AS; indeed the introduction of AD/AS has been linked with an improvement in …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
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8
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 143
International examples demonstrate complexity of assisted dying debate, providing valuable lessons for the UK.
Conclusion
When we undertook this inquiry, we were keen to learn as much as we could from international examples and we hope that by putting the evidence we have gathered into the public domain, we can help to further inform the …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
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9
Conclusion
Deferred
Diverse assisted dying models exist; better data collection and independent oversight are crucial.
Conclusion
There are as many ways to operate AD/AS as there are jurisdictions which have legalised it, but there are two distinct models: one limiting its availability to those with a terminal illness and the other adding provision for unbearable suffering. …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
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10
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 189
Ensure healthcare professionals' participation in assisted dying is voluntary, never imposed, if legalised.
Conclusion
Medical professionals would have an important role in any system of AD/AS, although the details are for Parliament to determine should it move to legalise AD/ AS. During our inquiry we have heard from healthcare professionals who were content to …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
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11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 210
Require trained professionals to undertake capacity assessments for assisted dying, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Conclusion
Practice across the world where AD/AS is legal is varied in the respect of capacity assessments for AD/AS. We heard that any such assessment should be undertaken by professionals who have undertaken necessary training on capacity assessments, particularly in relation …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
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12
Conclusion
Deferred
Healthcare professionals express clear hesitation regarding accurately assessing capacity and safeguarding in all cases.
Conclusion
Throughout our inquiry into AD/AS, the importance of safeguards and protections, and the question of whether they can be sufficient, has been a central feature, as has the related question of assessing capacity. Hearing from various representatives of healthcare professionals, …
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Government Response Summary
The government redirects responsibility for any change to the law regarding Assisted Dying/Assisted Suicide to Parliament, stating it is a matter of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than a government policy matter.
Department of Health and Social Care
View Details