Written by 
Thank you to everyone who attended the Science, Environment and Bioethics Committee event on Saturday 16th November entitled: Human Life it Sacred – Understanding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. For those who have an interest in this subject but were unable to attend you may find the following discussion points useful.
Background on the Bill and Legislative Process
Patricia began by emphasising the key principle that life is a gift from God. This foundational belief underpins the argument that taking a life—whether someone else’s or one’s own—is morally wrong. The discussion highlighted that the Bill currently under consideration is 40 pages long, with only 18 days allocated for review before a five-hour debate. If approved, the Bill will move to the Committee stage. However, as a Private Member’s Bill the time allocated for consideration in Committee is limited, and there is no certainty that the Government will make additional time available.
The Bill’s critical Second Reading, when MPs decide whether to proceed with the Bill or not, is set for Friday 29th November.
Once it has been approved by the House of Commons, the Bill would have to be considered and approved by the House of Lords before becoming law.here is significant expertise in end-of-life care in the Lords.
Patricia encouraged attendees to write concise letters to their MPs.
The address to write to is:
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
A letter may be more effective than an email.
You can find out who your MP is here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
This link will also take you to your MP’s page where you can find further contact information.
She noted g that one of the main arguments for the Bill is the right to autonomy—the right to choose the time and place of one’s death. However, Catholic teaching asserts that individuals are not wholly autonomous but are interconnected within communities and families, relying on others throughout their lives. Each death impacts others, leaving ripples long after the person has passed.
Another argument presented in support of the Bill is compassion. However, the Church teaches that suffering is a part of life, and the role of the community is to support those enduring it. True compassion does not mean eradicating suffering but embracing and helping those who suffer. The concept of dependency should not be seen as negative.
Assisted dying introduces the notion that not all lives are of equal value, which contradicts the duty of care held by medical professionals. Patricia raised concerns that individuals with disabilities, such as those with Down’s Syndrome, are already at a higher risk of being undervalued in society, drawing parallels to how assisted dying could lead to similar devaluation for other vulnerable groups.
Key concerns:
- The potential for subtle pressure on individuals who feel burdensome to choose assisted dying.
- Recognising that a desire to take one’s life often signifies mental distress that warrants help, not an “out”.
- Evidence from other countries showing that the scope of assisted dying can expand beyond terminally ill individuals.
- The need for investment in palliative care and mental health support.
Healthcare Professional’s Perspective on the Bill
Mary presented the perspective of healthcare professionals, discussing the nuances of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. She noted that previous legislation, such as the Assisted Dying Bill, should be carefully distinguished from the current bill when conducting research.
Challenges Highlighted:
- The difficulty of predicting whether someone has six months to live.
- The potential for “equal access” claims leading to broader applications of the law.
- Misconceptions about the end-of-life process; not all cases are painful or distressing, as many patients experience peaceful symptoms like increased sleep and reduced appetite. For further information on this, see https://www.kathrynmannix.com/
Mary pointed out that the UK has a strong palliative care sector , with hospices providing essential care and focusing on enabling people to live as fully as possible. However, hospices often rely heavily on charitable donations, with government funding covering only a portion of their costs. And hospice care is not available everywhere. Public figures, including Wes Streeting, have acknowledged that the hospice movement is underfunded and needs increased support.
An overview of the proposed Assisted Suicide Process:
- Coordinating Doctor: A registered medical professional would need to review medical records, discuss treatment options, and provide details on the drugs and side effects. This process requires time and expertise.
- Independent Doctor: Another doctor would verify the coordinating doctor’s assessments.
- High Court Application: The court must hear from the coordinating doctor and may choose to speak to the independent doctor, the patient, and relatives.
- Patient Affirmations: The patient must affirm their decision multiple times, and the process must be overseen by doctors or a High Court judge at least five times.
Concerns and questions:
- The impact on medical and administrative staff and whether they can opt out of participation.
- The need for a list of willing coordinating doctors and the implications of maintaining such a list.
- Missing logistical details such as the location of assessments and the source of funding (NHS or otherwise).
- The pressure on the NHS and Justice System, both of which are already under strain.
Mary concluded that aside from ethical and moral concerns, the Bill appears rushed and lacks comprehensive support structures.
Further views:
C, a hospital chaplain, shared experiences from working in COVID-related bereavement support. She stressed that the consequences of the pandemic continue, with hospitals under ongoing pressure.
L, a social worker, highlighted the importance of expanding palliative care access and ensuring social workers can support patients in such contexts.
There was some discussion on the need for greater awareness of this issue for those without online access
When writing to an MP:
- Emphasise the importance of palliative care and mental health support as priorities.
- Address the ethical implications and potential inequalities introduced by assisted dying.
- Urge for thorough review and adequate funding before considering such legislation.
Resources mentioned:
The Tablet: Lessons from the inside
The Art of Living & Dying Well
With the End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix
What Happens As We Die? | Kathryn Mannix | TED