Medics free from assisted dying duty |
In a significant development, MPs in England and Wales have approved a change to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, ensuring that "no person", including medical professionals, is obliged to participate in assisted dying. This amendment extends the existing opt-out for doctors to include pharmacists and social care workers. The debate, which lasted nearly five hours, saw supporters argue that the Bill now has stronger safeguards, while opponents raised concerns about insufficient protections. Dame Esther Rantzen, who is terminally ill, called for MPs to support the Bill, describing it as a "crucial reform". Labour MP Kim Leadbeater emphasised the need for legalisation to prevent desperate actions by terminally ill individuals. The Bill, applicable only to England and Wales, would allow terminally ill adults with six months left to live to seek assistance in ending their lives, subject to approval from two doctors and an expert panel. |
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