The Health and Social Care Committee is holding an inquiry into assisted dying/assisted suicide.
The deadline for submitting written evidence or responding to our online form has now passed. We are publishing the written evidence we have received on the publications page of the inquiry. Please note that the written evidence and roundtable transcripts contains details that some readers might find distressing.
We are currently holding oral evidence sessions for this inquiry. Details are available below.
Terminology
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology briefing note on assisted dying defines the term as follows:
“Assisted dying refers here to the involvement of healthcare professionals in the provision of lethal drugs intended to end a patient’s life at their voluntary request, subject to eligibility criteria and safeguards. It includes healthcare professionals prescribing lethal drugs for the patient to self-administer (‘physician-assisted suicide’) and healthcare professionals administering lethal drugs (‘euthanasia’). It is an offence (in England and Wales) to assist or encourage another person’s suicide under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961. Euthanasia is illegal across the UK under the Homicide Act 1957 and could be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.”
Safeguarding and support
If you have immediate concerns about yourself or someone else, you should contact the Police on 999.
In addition to your GP, the following organisations may be able to offer support or further information:
- Samaritans– Support and guidance for everyone. Call 116 123 - 24 hours a day every day or Email jo@samaritans.org
- The Silver Line- Support for older people; a free confidential helpline providing "information, friendship and advice" to people aged 55 and over, and support for "older people who are suffering abuse and neglect"; open 24 hours a day every day. Call 0800 4 70 80 90
- Mind - For information, advice, and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call: 0300 123 3393.