Post by Handyman on Nov 12, 2024 18:52:20 GMT
But there are requirements: in the proposed Bill
They must be resident of England and Wales and be registered with a GP for at least 12 months
They must have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure
They must be expected to die within six months
They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die
Two independent doctors must be satisfied the person is eligible - and there must be at least seven days between the doctors’ assessments
A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors and can also question the dying person, or anyone else they consider appropriate. There must be a further 14 days after the judge has made the ruling
Under the bill, a doctor could prepare the substance, but the person themselves must take it.
No doctor or anyone else would be allowed to administer the medication to the terminally ill person. Doctors would also not be under any obligation to take part in the assisted dying process.
This is called physician-assisted suicide. Voluntary euthanasia is different and is where a health professional administers the drugs to the patient.
And as well as the list of requirements above, the bill would make it illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance.
If someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
They must be resident of England and Wales and be registered with a GP for at least 12 months
They must have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure
They must be expected to die within six months
They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die
Two independent doctors must be satisfied the person is eligible - and there must be at least seven days between the doctors’ assessments
A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors and can also question the dying person, or anyone else they consider appropriate. There must be a further 14 days after the judge has made the ruling
Under the bill, a doctor could prepare the substance, but the person themselves must take it.
No doctor or anyone else would be allowed to administer the medication to the terminally ill person. Doctors would also not be under any obligation to take part in the assisted dying process.
This is called physician-assisted suicide. Voluntary euthanasia is different and is where a health professional administers the drugs to the patient.
And as well as the list of requirements above, the bill would make it illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance.
If someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
