Latest news with #GordonMacdonald
The Independent
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Assisted dying bill ‘will put pressure on vulnerable' to end lives early, campaigners warn
A campaign group has claimed that the impact assessment produced by the government on assisted dying legislation proves that there will be a financial incentive to end people's lives early. The claim by the group Care Not Killing (CNK) came after the government identified at least £59.6m savings a year to be made by allowing assisted deaths. CNK believes the real amount is much bigger because savings in benefits cannot be quantified. However, the bill's sponsor Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has warned: 'The cost in human terms of failing to act would be immense.' She said: 'It is difficult, if not impossible, to put a price on correcting injustice and providing dignity to our fellow citizens in their final weeks and months, but it is of course right that we look at what effect changing the law would have more widely.' With the bill set to be debated again in the Commons in just two weeks, her supporters argue that the government assessment has confirmed that assisted dying can be delivered safely, ethically, and compassionately in England and Wales. But Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of CNK warned that financial incentives could encourage the NHS to push people to choose to end their lives or for people with diseases to feel they are a burden. He noted that the impact assessment confirms that changing the law will save money, both health care costs of up to £59.6m and a reduction in benefit payments which is unquantified. He claimed: 'In the US State of Oregon, the model for the current bill in Parliament, a majority of those ending their lives cite fear of being a burden on their families, carers or finances as a reason for their decision. 'In Canada, politicians have talked about the considerable savings made to regional health care budgets since introducing euthanasia, with some estimates suggesting up to $500m, regrettably this includes removing funding from a hospice that refused to kill their patients. 'In Holland, not only have the Dutch saved money, but chillingly, they talked about how this policy also increases the availability of organs for transplant, something Dr David Shaw and Professor Alec Morton, two British academics argued for in 2020.' Dr Macdonald highlighted how the hospice movement has a £150m blackhole in its budget, when up to one in four Brits who would benefit from palliative care but are not currently receiving it. He said: 'Introducing so-called assisted dying would be an incredibly dangerous policy that would put pressure on vulnerable, elderly and disabled people to end their lives prematurely. We need to fix the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system so everyone can have a dignified death. We need better care not killing.' However, Humanists UK and My Death, My Decision who support the bill have argued that the impact assessment has dealt with fears about assisted dying. They noted that overall there are predicted to be cost savings for the state if the law does change – though the sums of at most 'tens of millions are negligible in the context of the £180bn annual NHS spend.' They added: 'Regardless, the decision on whether to change the law should not be about economics, but on whether assisted dying is the right approach in principle.' Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, said: 'Assisted dying isn't untested. Legislation is already working in over 31 jurisdictions across the world, where implementation in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe has shown it to be safe, compassionate, and practical. It's time for Parliament to grant people the dignity and autonomy they deserve at the end of life.' Claire Macdonald, director at My Death, My Decision, added: 'These reports confirm what we have long known – that our current laws are failing dying people and that the current status quo is unacceptable. Every day we delay is another day someone is denied the choice to die with dignity, free from prolonged pain and suffering.'
Sky News
02-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Assisted Dying: Hundreds would seek to use service in first year of it being available, government report finds
Hundreds of people would seek an assisted death in the first year of a service being available, with that number potentially rising to just over 4,500 after 10 years, according to a government report. A 149-page impact assessment into the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, measuring the financial impact of the proposed legislation, was published on Friday afternoon. It estimated there could potentially be between 273 and 1,311 people applying for an assisted death in the first year, rising to between 1,737 and 7,598 in year 10. And it found the establishment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner and panels would cost an estimated average of between £10.9m to £13.6m per year. 3:00 The impact assessment found healthcare costs at the end of life could be reduced by as much as an estimated £10m in the first year of an assisted dying service and almost £60m after 10 years. But, the document noted that cutting end-of-life care costs "is not stated as an objective of the policy". Kim Leadbeater MP introduced the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 16 October 2024. The bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 29 November 2024 with a vote of 330 to 275. Speaking after publication of the document, she said: "I am grateful to the government for these detailed and thorough assessments of the impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill currently going through parliament. "I'm pleased that MPs now have two full weeks to consider the assessments before the next Commons debate at Report Stage on 16 May." Supporters of assisted dying will be confident the impact assessment's findings will not sway any MPs and the bill will pass in May and not be derailed ahead of the final vote expected on 13 June. The timing of the document, which has been prepared by civil servants, has caused some anger among opponents of the bill. Some have suggested the report was deliberately released to coincide with the results of the local elections. 'We need better care not killing' Responding to the publication of the impact assessments, Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, said: "At a time when we have seen how fragile our cash strapped health care system is, how the hospice movement has a £150m blackhole in its budget, and when up to one in four Brits who would benefit from palliative care but aren't currently receiving it, introducing so-called assisted dying would be an incredibly dangerous policy that would put pressure on vulnerable, elderly and disabled people to end their lives prematurely. "We need to fix the UK's broken and patchy palliative care system so everyone can have a dignified death. "We need better care, not killing." Changes to the bill since the original vote mean the High Court will no longer need to sign off on assisted dying cases. Instead, decisions will go through a new panel of medical and legal experts. And the rollout period for setting up assisted dying services has also been extended, doubling to a maximum of four years. Under the proposed law, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live could choose to end their life legally. The decision would need approval from two doctors and the expert panel.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doubt is cast over assisted dying Bill as poll suggests most MPs would vote against it
Doubt has been cast over the legislation for assisted dying as a poll suggested most MPs would vote against it. Since the Bill allowing state support for terminally ill people to end their own lives passed its first hurdle in the Commons last year, concerns have been raised as proposed safeguards were rejected by its architect, Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater. Many MPs backed it initially only because of the requirement that a High Court judge would have to sign off applications – but this was scrapped in favour of an expert panel. Now a survey of MPs has for the first time suggested that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be voted down when it returns to the Commons this month. The poll of 104 MPs by Whitestone Insight, commissioned by anti-assisted suicide campaign group Care Not Killing, found that 42 planned to vote against it and five said they would abstain. A protester outside the Houses of Parliament in London calling for reform as peers debate the new assisted dying legislation Only 36 intended to back the Bill, while 13 were undecided and another eight declined to answer. And only 30 agreed that replacing High Court oversight with a panel gave them more confidence in the Bill, while 41 disagreed. Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, said: 'This bombshell poll confirms that the more MPs hear about assisted suicide and what it entails, the less likely they are to support changing the law.' He added MPs clearly recognised removing the High Court from the process 'makes the Bill much less safe' and that it 'would put the lives of vulnerable people at risk' if it passed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What next for the Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill?
When the Isle of Man became the first place in British Isles to agree to legalise assisted dying the decision made by the parliament was hailed as "historic". After months of debate, the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 completed its passage through the House of Keys and the Legislative Council on Tuesday. But there are still many steps to take before it can become law, including receiving Royal Assent and the creation of secondary legislation and the codes of practice. If the legislative process is successful, the bill's mover Alex Allinson MHK said he hoped an assisted dying service could be in place by 2027. Under the measures in the proposed legislation, those eligible must be terminally ill and "reasonably expected" to die within 12 months, be over the age of 18, and have been resident on the island for five years. The person must also have the legal capacity to make the decision, have the decision verified by two independent doctors, and be registered with an Isle of Man GP. All legislation must be approved by the Head of State before it becomes law under a process known as Royal Assent. As the bill has been agreed by both branches of the parliament, a Royal Assent copy can now be sent to the UK Ministry of Justice. Once authorisation has been received by the Clerk of Tynwald, it would then be circulated for signing during a sitting of Tynwald, when it needs to be signed by least five members of the council and 13 MHKs in Tynwald. At that point it would be sent to be officially signed off by the island's Lieutenant Governor, at which stage it will become an act. The bill must then be promulgated on Tynwald Hill, which involves it being read out in Manx and English, within 18 months of receiving Royal Assent or it ceases to have effect. But the law would not be able to come into operation until Manx politicians have decided how the law would work in practice. That would involve the creation secondary legislation, including codes of practice for medical professionals involved in the process and details on the implementation of the much debated safeguards within the legislation. All that would involve further scrutiny by Tynwald members and consultations with those working in healthcare and other island residents have been promised as pat of that process. The bill has been polarising. Public opinion was narrowly divided in 2023 when more than 3,000 people shared their views in a consultation exercise on the subject. Supporters have said the proposed law change would give people a choice and prevent prolonged suffering, while opponents have raised concerns over coercion, additional pressure on the health service, and a potential exodus of medical professionals. An Isle of Man Medical Society poll found a third of doctors who responded would consider leaving the island if the legislation was introduced. Reacting to the latest step forward, Gordon Macdonald from Care Not Killing, which is an alliance of groups that includes faith-based and pro-life organisations, described the move as "very sad day for islanders". He said he believed the proposed law had been "pushed through by for a small vocal minority" and was "in danger of jeopardising healthcare for everybody in the Isle of Man". In its position statement on the issues, Hospice Isle of Man said it would "respect the freedom of choice of each and every individual" but it "would not see itself taking part in any process directly linked to an assisted death". First place in British Isles approves right to die What is assisted dying and how could the law change? How assisted dying has spread across the world and how laws differ However, those in support of the bill, including campaign group Dignity in Dying, said Tuesday's milestone was a "historic moment for compassion" in the Isle of Man and the wider British Isles. Chief executive Sarah Wootton said the bill's progression was Sue Biggerstaff's husband Simon and Millie Blenkinsop-French's son James "who died without choice over their deaths". The campaigners had "led the charge for choice" in the island, which would mean "no one will be forced to suffer at the end", she said. "Change is coming across the British Isles and the Isle of Man has led the way", she added. While it remains illegal in most countries, more than 300 million people now live in countries which have legalised assisted dying. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Austria have all introduced assisted dying laws since 2015. In Westminster Kim Leadbeater's bill is being scrutinised by a committee after MPs backed proposals covering England and Wales in November. In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP's bill is expecting its first vote by 23 May and in Jersey, politicians have voted to introduce an assisted dying bill with draft legislation to be debated by the end of 2025. While Allinson said he was "hopeful" an Isle of Man assisted dying service could be in place by 2027, many stages of the parliamentary process must still be cleared before a resident who meets the specific Manx criteria would be able to ask for an assisted death. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. First place in British Isles approves right to die Opposing views shared on assisted dying proposals Assisted dying proposals backed by UK campaigner Manx doctors reject assisted dying bill in survey Views split on Isle of Man assisted dying proposal Tynwald - Making legislation Care Not Killing Hospice Isle of Man Dignity in Dying
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
What happens next with the Isle of Man Assisted Dying Bill?
When the Isle of Man became the first place in British Isles to agree to legalise assisted dying the decision made by the parliament was hailed as "historic". After months of debate, the Assisted Dying Bill 2023 completed its passage through the House of Keys and the Legislative Council on there are still many steps to take before it can become law, including receiving Royal Assent and the creation of secondary legislation and the codes of the legislative process is successful, the bill's mover Alex Allinson MHK said he hoped an assisted dying service could be in place by 2027. Under the measures in the proposed legislation, those eligible must be terminally ill and "reasonably expected" to die within 12 months, be over the age of 18, and have been resident on the island for five person must also have the legal capacity to make the decision, have the decision verified by two independent doctors, and be registered with an Isle of Man GP. What is Royal Assent? All legislation must be approved by the Head of State before it becomes law under a process known as Royal the bill has been agreed by both branches of the parliament, a Royal Assent copy can now be sent to the UK Ministry of authorisation has been received by the Clerk of Tynwald, it would then be circulated for signing during a sitting of Tynwald, when it needs to be signed by least five members of the council and 13 MHKs in that point it would be sent to be officially signed off by the island's Lieutenant Governor, at which stage it will become an bill must then be promulgated on Tynwald Hill, which involves it being read out in Manx and English, within 18 months of receiving Royal Assent or it ceases to have effect.But the law would not be able to come into operation until Manx politicians have decided how the law would work in would involve the creation secondary legislation, including codes of practice for medical professionals involved in the process and details on the implementation of the much debated safeguards within the that would involve further scrutiny by Tynwald members and consultations with those working in healthcare and other island residents have been promised as pat of that process. Divided opinion The bill has been polarising. Public opinion was narrowly divided in 2023 when more than 3,000 people shared their views in a consultation exercise on the have said the proposed law change would give people a choice and prevent prolonged suffering, while opponents have raised concerns over coercion, additional pressure on the health service, and a potential exodus of medical Isle of Man Medical Society poll found a third of doctors who responded would consider leaving the island if the legislation was to the latest step forward, Gordon Macdonald from Care Not Killing, which is an alliance of groups that includes faith-based and pro-life organisations, described the move as "very sad day for islanders".He said he believed the proposed law had been "pushed through by for a small vocal minority" and was "in danger of jeopardising healthcare for everybody in the Isle of Man". In its position statement on the issues, Hospice Isle of Man said it would "respect the freedom of choice of each and every individual" but it "would not see itself taking part in any process directly linked to an assisted death". However, those in support of the bill, including campaign group Dignity in Dying, said Tuesday's milestone was a "historic moment for compassion" in the Isle of Man and the wider British executive Sarah Wootton said the bill's progression was Sue Biggerstaff's husband Simon and Millie Blenkinsop-French's son James "who died without choice over their deaths".The campaigners had "led the charge for choice" in the island, which would mean "no one will be forced to suffer at the end", she said."Change is coming across the British Isles and the Isle of Man has led the way", she added. Laws elsewhere While it remains illegal in most countries, more than 300 million people now live in countries which have legalised assisted Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Austria have all introduced assisted dying laws since Westminster Kim Leadbeater's bill is being scrutinised by a committee after MPs backed proposals covering England and Wales in Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP's bill is expecting its first vote by 23 May and in Jersey, politicians have voted to introduce an assisted dying bill with draft legislation to be debated by the end of Allinson said he was "hopeful" an Isle of Man assisted dying service could be in place by 2027, many stages of the parliamentary process must still be cleared before a resident who meets the specific Manx criteria would be able to ask for an assisted death. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
