Assisted dying rules must not be rushed, Sir Chris tells MPs

ASSISTED dying could become available in England two years after the law changes but it should not be rushed, Sir Chris Whitty has said.

- Hanna Geissler

The Chief Medical Officer was one of 15 witnesses who gave evidence to the committee scrutinising Kim Leadbeater's Bill yesterday.

He told MPs he and other chief medics were "completely neutral on the principles of this Bill, which we consider are entirely for society and therefore for Parliament".

Sir Chris said that if the Bill passes into law, two years "seems a reasonable starting point" for implementation. But he argued there should not be a "firm deadline" as time will be needed for guidance, legislation and training to be put in place.

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