Citizens’ Jury Calls for range of experts in assisted dying process and condemns lack of clarity and compassion in current law

A final report from England’s first ever citizens’ jury on assisted dying reaffirms the public’s overwhelming support for a compassionate, safeguarded assisted dying law. The new report from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, combining deep insights from the Jury and two nationally representative surveys of 2,000 people, highlights the strength of support for an assisted dying law for terminally ill, mentally competent adults. This reflects the scope of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill currently being scrutinised in committee stage in the House of Commons, after the principle of the Bill was backed by a majority of MPs at a second reading debate in November. Qualitative analysis of jury members’ deliberations found consistent support for the involvement of a range of professions in the assisted dying process, including medical practitioners, lawyers, social care specialists and psychologists. This follows news last month that Kim Leadbeater MP has tabled to create a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission, which would authorise expert multidisciplinary panels to look at every application for an assisted death. The report reveals jury members viewed the current blanket prohibition of assisted dying as unclear and inconsistently applied, raising concern about loved ones who are subjected to investigations for assisting someone overseas for an assisted death. Further concerns were raised about the law being unfair and lacking in compassion, as it can result in some people travelling overseas for an assisted death alone in order to protect their friends and family. The jury viewed the status quo as contributing to a “culture of secrecy around death”.

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“This new report is yet another resounding confirmation of what the public, healthcare professionals, and dying people have been saying for years: our current laws are failing the very people they claim to protect.

“No one should have to scrape together thousands of pounds, leave their home and loved ones behind, and travel to Switzerland to have a dignified death. Nor should their families have to live in fear of prosecution for acting out of love and compassion. The choice of an assisted death must be available here in Britain, within a robust and safeguarded legal framework.

“What is particularly significant in this report is the Jury’s call for expert oversight—a recommendation that mirrors Kim Leadbeater’s proposal for a multidisciplinary panel to oversee every request. This demonstrates beyond doubt that her bill is the safest, most responsible assisted dying legislation anywhere in the world.

“It is no longer a question of if the law should change, but when. The public supports it. The evidence supports it. And now, parliament has a bill before it that gets the balance exactly right. MPs must act, because every day they delay, more dying people are left to suffer needlessly.”

*ENDS*

For more information or interview requests, please email Georgina O’Reilly, Media and Comms Manager at Dignity in Dying georgina.oreilly@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809.