Overview

This bill aims to give eligible people in England the legal right to die at home or their chosen place of residence. It requires the Secretary of State to create regulations ensuring healthcare providers support this right, subject to certain conditions such as a prognosis of death within three months.

Description

The Right to Die at Home Bill mandates the creation of regulations by the Secretary of State to establish a right for eligible individuals in England to die at home or a place they consider home. Key aspects of these regulations include:

• GP Recording: GPs must record a patient's wish to die at home in their medical records.
• Healthcare Staff Obligation: Health and care staff must facilitate this wish.
• Definition of "Home": The regulations will define "home" and "the place the person regards as home."
• Eligibility Criteria: The regulations will define eligibility, including UK residency and a requirement that the attending doctor believes the person is likely to die within three months.
• Statutory Guidance: The Secretary of State must provide guidance to healthcare services on implementing the right.
• Public Awareness: The Secretary of State must promote public awareness of this right.
• Parliamentary Approval: Regulations must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

The bill applies only to England and comes into force upon passage.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify the exact cost. However, government spending will likely increase due to the need to create and implement the regulations, provide statutory guidance, and promote public awareness. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Terminally Ill Individuals: Eligible individuals facing imminent death will potentially benefit from the ability to die in a preferred location.
• Healthcare Professionals: GPs, nurses, and other healthcare staff will have new obligations to record and facilitate end-of-life wishes, requiring adjustments to their practices and potentially additional training or resources.
• Families and Carers: Families and carers will be affected by the implementation of the new right, potentially experiencing increased responsibilities in supporting a loved one's wish to die at home.
• Government and Healthcare System: The government will need to allocate resources for regulation development, guidance creation, and public awareness campaigns. The NHS and other healthcare providers will need to adapt their processes and potentially increase staffing or resource allocation.

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