Published on: 6th December 2021

Dying with Dignity

The House of Lords has recently debated the Assisted Dying Bill upon its second reading. The Bill, sponsored by Baroness Meacher, seeks to allow terminally ill patients of sound mind to request assistance in ending their own life. Currently, Under the Suicide Act 1961 in England and Wales, assisting suicide is a crime with a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. 

The Bill has now passed the second debate stage and is proceeding to committee stage before a third reading and then possibly passing to the House of Commons. Whilst this is still early in the process, it has given some hope to proponents of the Bill as there has been increased public support since previous attempts to change the law. In Jersey, for example, 78% of the citizens’ jury ruled in favour of changing the law. This means that further debate on the topic will occur next year with a possible final vote in 2023.

Additionally, the British Medical Association (BMA) has officially changed their opposition to the legality of assisted suicide to neutrality on the issue. This position more accurately represents the views of its members as a survey of nearly 30,000 BMA members found that only 33% felt the organisation should oppose assisted suicide whilst 40% believed it should be supported. The remaining were either undecided or neutral on the issue. A YouGov poll from 2019 showed that 73% of Britons support doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill.

Much of the public support for this issue stems from the idea of wanting choice and autonomy within the care and treatment that is received. Whether you support the legalisation of assisted suicide or not, a current way to ensure that you or a loved one receives the care that you want even if you do not have the capacity to make those decisions is by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for Health and Welfare. This type of LPA allows for your designated attorneys to have a say and make decisions on your behalf regarding the type of care you receive, where you live, your daily routine, and refusing or consenting to treatment. By nominating someone who you know and trust as your attorney, it enables you to have the peace of mind that any medical decisions made on your behalf if you do not have the capacity will be in your best interest and consider your opinions.

If you would like to create LPAs or would like more information, please contact our client services team to book a no-obligation appointment with one of our experienced Consultants by calling 01732 868190 or using our online form by clicking here.

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