Assisted dying in Jersey: offering choice to terminally ill people ‘ethical’, review finds
A review of assisted dying proposals in Jersey by medical law experts, published today (Tuesday 7 November 2023), finds that offering this option as a choice for terminally ill people is “ethically appropriate”. This comes after Jersey’s States Assembly voted overwhelmingly in 2021 in favour of the principle of legalising assisted dying, with a citizens’ jury on the topic also strongly recommending law change.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
“The conclusions of this review chime with mounting evidence from the British Isles and around the world: that it is perfectly ethical for dying people to be granted real choice at the end of their lives, including the option of assisted dying under strict safeguards.
“The reverse is certainly clear to the Jersey public and a growing number of States Members and medics: to continue to deny terminally ill people this option is not only deeply unethical, but dangerous. Without choice, people suffer or are forced to take matters into their own hands – either at home and abroad, with no safeguards or oversight, often prematurely and alone.
“Legislation that enables true choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, including those with cancer, motor neurone disease and other illnesses, is tried-and-tested in Australia, New Zealand and parts of the US. This model makes up 70% of all assisted dying laws across the globe and is proven to be safe and popular, far more so than the status quo.
“Proposals are also progressing in the Isle of Man and Scotland, inquiries are ongoing in Westminster and Ireland and an assisted dying bill is due in France imminently. The direction of travel is clearly towards giving dying people choice. Reform must proceed in Jersey without delay; the longer the blanket ban remains in place, the more damage it will cause to this community.”
Local people will have the chance to hear from experts and people with personal experience at a Dignity in Dying event in St Helier next Thursday, 16th November. Panellists include Tina McCafferty, originally from the UK and now CEO of Tо̄tara Hospice in New Zealand, where terminally ill patients have access to assisted dying alongside all other end-of-life care options. The choice was legalised under the country’s End of Life Choice Act, passed in 2019 and approved by 65% of the public in a nationwide referendum in 2020. Also speaking is Ilana Richardson, whose husband Crispin, originally from Jersey, decided to travel to Switzerland for an assisted death in 2019, in order to avoid a prolonged and painful death from terminal motor neurone disease – a process that now costs on average £15,000, an increase of 50% in just five years.
This comes as an Assisted Dying Bill in the Isle of Man proceeds to its next stage, after a victory at its Second Reading debate last week. Westminster’s Health and Social Care Select Committee prepares to report on the first ever House of Commons inquiry into assisted dying, launched in December, with proposals also making progress in Scotland. The Oireachtas in Ireland is conducting its own inquiry into assisted dying, and a Bill is due to be brought before the French Parliament in December after a citizens’ assembly overwhelmingly recommended law change.
More than 250 million people around the world already have access to some form of assisted dying law, including in 11 jurisdictions in the US, all Australian states and the whole of New Zealand, where the choice is available to terminally ill, mentally competent adults subject to strict safeguards.
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For further information and interview requests with Dignity in Dying spokespeople, people with personal experiences and parliamentarians, please contact Ellie Ball, Deputy Director of Communications at Dignity in Dying, on 07725 433 025 or email ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk.