A proposed bill to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales could see terminally ill adults be able to take their own lives from next month.
Under plans unveiled last night, people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and given less than six months to live would be allowed to obtain and administer lethal drugs that would cause instant death.
However, the new law would not apply to people with a physical disability or mental health disorder.
MPs will debate and vote on the bill – called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – on November 29.
But not everyone who is terminally ill will be able to make this decision; patients will have to meet a list of requirements.
Under the bill, the patient must be a resident of England and Wales and have been registered with a GP for at least one year. They must also be terminal and expected to die within six months.
Patients must have the mental capacity to make a choice without coercion or pressure. They must also make two separate declarations of their wish to die, both witnessed and signed.
Two independent doctors must therefore be satisfied that the person is eligible, with at least seven days between each doctor’s assessments.
MPs will debate and vote on the bill – called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – on November 29.
The case would then be referred to a High Court judge, who would hear from at least one of the doctors, and could also question the dying person.
After this, patients must wait another fourteen days after the judge’s ruling before they can make their decision. The expected waiting time between their medical assessment and the end of their life is approximately three weeks.
However, doctors would not be obliged to participate in the assisted dying process.
Although a doctor may prepare the substance used to end the patient’s life, only the patient can administer it.
The bill would make it illegal to use “dishonesty, coercion or pressure” to get a terminal patient to say he needs assistance in dying.
It will also become a criminal offense to force someone to take the lethal dose of drugs provided for approved applications, with prison sentences of up to 14 years for those convicted.
Assisted suicide is currently banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where it also carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
Although it is not a criminal offense in Scotland, assisting someone in death can lead to someone being charged with murder or other criminal offences.
Supporters of the proposed new law have outlined the safeguards that would be put in place ahead of a debate and vote in the House of Commons at the end of the month.
Kim Leadbeater, the Labor backbencher introducing the proposal, warned last night that MPs could have to wait another decade for a change in the law if they fail to pass it now.
The vote is seen as close, with some senior ministers – including Health Minister Wes Streeting – saying they plan to vote against.
Critics say the bill is being passed without sufficient scrutiny and does not provide sufficient safeguards against abuse.