MSP Declares Assisted Dying Bill 'Long Overdue' for Terminally Ill Scots
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has stated that his proposed legislation on assisted dying has been "a long time coming" and is urgently needed for many terminally ill individuals in Scotland. The Orkney representative emphasised that his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill aims to provide a legal option for people of sound mind who are suffering from terminal conditions to end their lives with dignity.
Choice and Safeguards at the Heart of the Proposal
Mr McArthur explained that the core principle of his Bill is choice. It would grant terminally ill adults the right to request an assisted death while allowing all medical professionals the freedom to decide whether to participate. He noted that while some palliative care experts oppose the measure, many others support it as an essential component of patient-centred end-of-life care.
"This Bill has been a long time coming but it does now offer the opportunity to provide compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it," Mr McArthur said. He highlighted that the legislation is designed with robust safeguards, drawing on international evidence to ensure protections for all involved.
Criticism from Palliative Medicine Association
The Association of Palliative Medicine (APM), representing approximately 1,400 specialists across the UK and Ireland, has raised significant concerns about the Bill. In a letter, the APM described the proposed legislation as "unsafe, inequitable and unworkable." The organisation pointed out that critical provisions regarding professional regulation and conscientious objection have been omitted from the final version.
According to the APM, this omission means that Members of the Scottish Parliament are being asked to approve a law without the essential safeguards initially deemed necessary for safe implementation. The decision on these safeguards has been deferred to Westminster, leaving no guarantee that healthcare professionals can conscientiously object without penalty or that patients are protected from unsolicited suggestions of assisted dying.
Clinical Concerns and Survey Findings
The APM urged a review of several aspects of the Bill, including clinical concerns about the removal of essential safeguards. They referenced a 2022 assisted dying survey which found that three quarters of palliative care specialists would refuse to participate in assisting a death. The letter stressed that in matters of life and death, the safety threshold must be unassailable, and the current proposals fall short.
"Until these profound concerns are meaningfully addressed, moving forwards with assisted dying in Scotland would risk normalising irreversible decisions borne from unequal access to care and not genuine choice," the APM warned. They advocated for increased investment in palliative care rather than legislation that could exacerbate existing inequities.
Government Collaboration and Evidence
Mr McArthur countered these criticisms by citing a report from the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee, which indicated no deterioration in palliative or end-of-life care quality following the introduction of similar legislation. He argued that assisted dying has, in fact, improved palliative care in many regions.
He also noted constructive and rapid collaboration between the Scottish and UK Governments to address legislative competency issues. "MSPs can be confident that the measures they vote for will be enacted," he assured, emphasising that the Bill is designed to operate within a comprehensive and safeguarded framework.
The Scottish Government was approached for comment on the matter, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding this sensitive and complex issue.
