Press release
14th May 2024

Isle of Man assisted dying law moves step closer to reality, as key votes won and wrecking amendments defeated

An assisted dying law for the Isle of Man moved a step closer to reality today (Tuesday 14th May 2024) as Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) voted on key clauses of Dr Alex Allinson MHK’s Assisted Dying Bill.

Attempts by opponents of law change to severely limit access for eligible patients and to remove the choice from healthcare entirely were voted down today (9-15), with a majority of MHKs un-moved by contributions from two doctors speaking against the bill. The Bill now progresses for further debate on its remaining Clauses before it proceeds to Third Reading, and then to the Legislative Council. Today was the second session of the critical Clauses stage, in which MHKs have the opportunity to debate each clause of the Bill, hear further evidence from experts and put forward any amendments. In the first session last Tuesday, 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). MHKs heard evidence from Dr Jacky Davis, Chair of Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying, and Professor Emeritus Sam H Ahmedzai, who has 30 years’ experience as an academic physician in palliative medicine. Each spoke about the lack of patient choice or protection under the current law and the inability of palliative care to relieve all suffering, as well as the safety and benefits of assisted dying laws in the US, Australia and New Zealand. 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. The Clauses stage is expected to continue in the House of Keys on Tuesday 11th June. The Clauses stage follows a significant win at Second Reading in October, when MHKs voted by a significant majority (17-7) to progress the Bill. After the Clauses stage the Bill is expected to receive a Third Reading in the House of Keys this summer. If it passes this stage it will progress onto the Legislative Council, the Upper House of the Tynwald, for further debate and scrutiny. The Bill could then receive Royal Assent as soon as next year, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to Manx residents from 2027. Dr Alex Allinson MHK said: “I want to congratulate my colleagues in the House of Keys for their powerful contributions to the debate today. Terminally ill people are calling out for a change in the law. There was a lot of discussion about the practical delivery of assisted dying in the Isle of Man. No doctor who does not wish to be part of this process will have to be, but evidence shows that this reform improves patient-doctor relationships by allowing open and honest discussions. Today we have moved closer to bringing in a law change that will improve the rights of dying people and improve end-of-life care for all Manx people.” Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “Today’s votes are a clear win for compassion and common sense. MHKs were not persuaded by those who oppose assisted dying that it should be made almost impossible for dying people to access. It’s clear that taking assisted dying out of healthcare and making it inaccessible for many is dangerous and solves few of the problems of the blanket ban, while creating many more. An assisted dying law in the Isle of Man is one step closer and it’s clear that giving compassionate choice to dying people could soon become a reality.”

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For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809