Suicide Bill 'Not Fit For Purpose'

Proposals to legalise assisted suicide cannot be regarded as fit for purpose'', a research organisation is expected to tell MSPs today.

The Living and Dying Well organisation says there are numerous and significant structural defects'' in the Assisted Suicide Bill currently being considered by Holyrood's Health Committee.

The Bill, which is being taken forward by Green MSP Patrick Harvie, would allow those with terminal or life-shortening illnesses to obtain help in ending their suffering.

Living and Dying Well describes itself as a public policy research organisation set up in 2010 to analyse the issues surrounding assisted suicide.

It says legalisation of assisted suicide would pose serious risks to public safety'', and the debate must focus onrigorous analysis of the evidence''.

In a written submission to the Health Committee, ahead of an evidence session today, the organisation raised several concerns about the Bill.

It says weaknesses in the proposed legislation include no requirement that a terminally ill applicant must have a prognosis of life remaining of six months or less.

As a result large numbers of people with progressive and chronic illnesses have been brought within the Bill's ambit,'' Living and Dying Well states.

The role of licensed facilitators who would aid a person with their suicide, reporting procedures, timescales and eligibility criteria are also concerns, according to the organisation.

The Bill makes no provision for acts of assisted suicide to be reported, monitored or controlled,'' it states.

This is a major omission - without an oversight system there would be no way of knowing whether the Bill's provisions were being abused.

Under the Bill's provisions, suicide must be carried out within 14 days of a second request being approved or the process must be re-started.

This provision provides a perverse incentive to an intending suicide to proceed.

There is nothing in the Bill to prevent similar requests for assisted suicide being handled in different ways by different doctors.

Given these numerous and significant structural defects the Bill cannot be regarded as fit for purpose.''

Living and Dying Well is one of a number of organisations appearing at the committee today.