Overview

This bill aims to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales for competent adults with terminal illnesses who have a clear and settled wish to end their lives. Strict safeguards, including multiple medical assessments and court approval, are proposed to prevent abuse.

Description

Eligibility

The bill allows terminally ill adults (diagnosed with an irreversible condition and expected to die within six months) who are 18 or older, have lived in England and Wales for at least a year, and possess the mental capacity to make the decision, to request assistance in dying.

Process

A formal declaration, witnessed and countersigned by two independent doctors (one the attending physician and one independent of the attending physician and the patient’s care team), is required. The doctors must confirm the patient's diagnosis, capacity, and informed consent, and they must ensure the patient has been informed of available palliative care options. The High Court (Family Division) must also approve the request. After a 14-day waiting period (reduced to 6 days if death is expected within one month), the attending doctor may provide the means for self-administration of the medication.

Safeguards

The bill includes provisions for conscientious objection for healthcare professionals, strict regulations on the types of medications and their administration, and a monitoring system involving the Chief Medical Officer to oversee the process and produce annual reports to Parliament. It also creates offenses for falsifying documents and providing false medical opinions.

Government Spending

The bill's financial impact is not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the costs are likely to include those associated with the monitoring process (staffing, reporting), regulation development, and potential legal challenges. These costs may outweigh any potential savings on healthcare from the fewer months of treatment for those choosing assisted dying.

Groups Affected

The bill directly impacts terminally ill adults who may choose to end their lives with assistance, and their families. It affects healthcare professionals involved in the process, requiring them to make difficult decisions while ensuring adherence to strict guidelines. The monitoring process impacts government agencies and those responsible for overseeing the implementation of the act. Finally, the bill raises significant ethical and religious concerns for certain organizations and individuals.

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