MP Wants Assisted Dying Bill to Require Doctors to Discuss All Other Options

Doctors in England and Wales will not be permitted to discuss assisted dying with patients without first explaining palliative care and other support options, Kim Leadbeater has said, tabling a series of amendments to her bill before detailed scrutiny of it begins next week.

- Jessica Elgot

A committee of MPs will begin line-by-line examination of the terminally ill adults bill next week. A number of concerns about the bill were put forward by expert witnesses at hearings last week, including about protection from coercion and measuring mental capacity.

The amendments were drafted in cooperation with ministers and officials at the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice, it is understood, though the government technically remains neutral on the bill.

The changes will mean doctors cannot mention the provision of assisted dying in isolation in their first discussions with patients but must set out any treatment and palliative care options available, including psychological support.