Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying
Support greater patient choice at the end of life
We support the campaign for greater patient choice at the end of life, and the policy of Dignity in Dying on assisted dying. We believe that professional bodies such as the British Medical Association and Royal Colleges should engage in this debate and contribute their expertise to develop safeguarded legislation.
Around 300 million people around the world now have access to some form of assisted dying. Where it is legal, less than 1 per cent of people opt for an assisted death, but many more are comforted by the knowledge that they will have a choice at the end of their lives should they want it.
Dr Jacky Davis
Consultant Radiologist and Chair of HPAD
“I support the right of terminally ill adults to control the manner and timing of their deaths. I believe the profession as a whole must seek to play a more constructive role in this debate than it has done to date. Medical bodies in the UK should seize the opportunity to play their part in determining what law change looks like.”
Professor Sir John Temple
Surgeon and former President of the British Medical Association
“It shouldn’t be taboo for doctors to talk about assisted dying. We shouldn’t feel afraid to have this conversation. We need an informed, open debate to look at the evidence and learn from other countries. We do this in every other aspect of medicine, but are guilty of putting this issue on the ‘too difficult’ pile. Let’s open up the conversation, and start talking. Let’s find a way to respect our patients’ right to choose.”
Dr Zoe Norris
GP