Norfolk campaigner says palliative care provision must improve if assisted dying is legalised
MPs will have a free vote on this legislation on 29th November
Last updated 13th Nov 2024
A campaigner in Norfolk is telling us palliative care provision must be improved if assisted dying is made legal, to ensure that those who are terminally ill can make the most informed choice possible.
The proposed bill means those wanting to end their own life would only be allowed if they have less than six months to live.
They'd also need the approval of two independent doctors and a leading judge.
"By bringing it into law you're regulating it, making it safer and accessible for all"
Jacob Stirling is chair of Norfolk's 'Dignity in Dying' branch: "It should be your decision based on how you feel about your life.
"Being able to chose to end your life earlier should be your choice and one that isn't influenced by how continuing to live could affect others.
"By bringing it into law you're regulating it, making it safer and accessible for all.
"Those opposed could argue there's a slippery slope because people can go abroad to end their life, however, if you don't support the bill then you clearly don't support going abroad for this practice.
"So in that regard - what are opponents of the bill doing to prevent that?"
More details:
Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he is yet to decide on the proposed law, that will be debated later this month.
It will be the first time assisted dying has been debated and voted on in the Commons in almost a decade.
Only terminally ill adults with less than six months to live who have a settled wish to end their lives would be eligible under the new law.
The Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater who is behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill said hers is the only Bill in the world with "three layers of scrutiny" in the form of sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge.
She said the proposed legislation for England and Wales would offer the "safest choice" for mentally competent adults at the end of their lives and is capable of protecting against coercion.
The Bill, which was published on Monday night, runs to almost 40 pages, with around 20 pages of explanatory notes.
Critics say the Bill is being "rushed with indecent haste" and that MPs will not have adequate time to scrutinise the legislation before the November 29 debate and vote.
But Ms Leadbeater rejected this argument, saying almost three weeks is "plenty of time to look at the Bill" and is normal within parliamentary timeframes.
She also suggested any new law would not take effect for another two to three years, with "even more consultation to make sure we get it right".
"Heart-breaking"
She acknowledged this would be "heart-breaking" for people and families for whom change could come too late.
Sir Keir, who has previously supported assisted dying, said he will not pressure his MPs on the issue - on which the Government has pledged to remain neutral.
Asked if he is going to vote in favour of the legislation, the PM said: "Look, it's going to be a free vote and I mean that. It will be for every MP to decide for themselves how they want to vote.
"I'm not going to be putting any pressure whatsoever on Labour MPs. They will make their own mind up, as I will be.
"Obviously a lot will depend on the detail and we need to get the balance right but I've always argued there will need to be proper safeguards in place."
Ms Leadbeater said her private member's bill would make it illegal for someone to persuade a person through dishonesty, coercion or pressure to declare they wanted to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer drugs to die.
Anyone found guilty of doing so would face a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
It is thought the shortest timeframe for the process from first making a declaration to ending a life would be around a month.
Terminally ill people who have been resident in England and Wales for at least 12 months would have to take the prescribed medication themselves.
Ms Leadbeater said she has "consulted widely" on the Bill, speaking with medical and legal experts, disability rights activists, and many "with their own personal experience of why the current law is not fit for purpose".
She said she had a responsibility to put before MPs "the best possible legislation and I believe I have done that".
Rejecting the "slippery slope" argument around any widening of the legislation, she said: "I feel very confident that once this law is passed, that is where it will be and that is where it will stay."
Right To Life UK branded the proposed legislation "a disaster in waiting", and described the proposed measures as a "monumental change to our laws".
Campaign group Our Duty Of Care, representing doctors and nurses, has sent a letter to the Prime Minister arguing it is "impossible for any government to draft assisted suicide laws which include protection from coercion and future expansion".
What happens next?
MPs will have a free vote on this legislation on 29th November.