The Assisted Dying Bill returns to the House of Commons as it nears final reading - Dr Alexandra Mullock comments
The a proposed law that would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in the UK, returned to the House of Commons on Friday 16th May for a five-hour debate on its proposed amendments. If passed, the Bill would allow mentally competent adults diagnosed with a terminal illness to request life-ending medication under strict safeguards.
During the debate, referenced written evidence submitted by the University of 51福利社鈥檚 on ethical concerns around the Bill.
Commenting on last week鈥檚 debate, Dr Alexandra Mullock said: 鈥淭he Commons debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has shone an important light on the complexities and unresolved questions that remain. With the third reading now expected in June, this pause must be used wisely, to reflect, scrutinise and strengthen the bill.
鈥淎s raised in the debate, there are valid concerns about bureaucracy and accessibility, particularly the risk of creating a complex panel system that deters rather than empowers patients. Concerns over safeguards for people with mental illness, the potential strain on an overstretched NHS, and how an assisted dying service might be established must also be addressed.
鈥淐rucially, we must ensure this Bill doesn鈥檛 create a climate where some feel either that they have a duty to die, or fear over unmet palliative care needs pushes them towards seeking an assisted death. We have a responsibility to ensure assisted dying is never seen as a substitute for compassionate, well-funded end-of-life care.鈥�
Read Dr Mullock鈥檚 comment in full on .