Isle of Man assisted dying bill progresses as two in three islanders demand change
The Isle of Man’s assisted dying debate continued in Tynwald today (Tuesday 11th June 2024). Today was the third session of the key clauses stage in which Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) have the opportunity to debate each clause of the Bill, hear further evidence from experts and put forward any amendments. MHKs voted 17-6 to approve Clause 7 of the Assisted Dying Bill, which deals with the process of providing assisted dying. Clause 7 was amended on a vote 19-4 in favour of limiting assisted dying to self-administration, removing the possibility of a doctor directly ending the life of their patient.
MHKs heard from Dr Jacky Davis, Chair of Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying, who responded to witnesses speaking against the bill who claimed that there is a lack of evidence that assisted dying laws work. Dr Davis cited almost three decades of evidence from Oregon’s assisted dying law, established in 1997, and further proof from Australia, New Zealand and several US States that these laws work safely and compassionately.
This follows the first evidence session, during which MHKs voted by a large margin (15-9) for Manx residents who have been given a prognosis of 12 months left to live to be able to request an assisted death, and for the residency requirement to be a minimum of five years (14-10). During the second evidence session attempts by opponents of law change to severely limit access for eligible patients and to remove the choice from healthcare entirely were voted down (9-15). The Bill will be debated again in the coming weeks before a third reading is expected in autumn.
The Assisted Dying Bill, put forward by Dr Allinson, MHK for Ramsey and a GP, proposes that the option of assisted dying should be available as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent residents, subject to strict safeguards. Two in three (66%) people in the Isle of Man support the introduction of assisted dying as an option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, with more than half (53%) indicating strong support, a survey released in October 2023 found.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
“An assisted dying law in the Isle of Man is moving closer to reality: a change islanders have long been calling for. The evidence from other jurisdictions that have already changed the law is crystal clear: these laws work safely and compassionately and provide far more protections than the status quo, which harms dying people and their families. We look forward to the next stage of this debate and to a day in the near future when dying Manx citizens will be able to access compassionate choice at the end of life.”
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For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Senior Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809.
