Assisted dying bill debate: advice to doctors from the UK chief medical officers and NHS England National Medical Director
Published 16 October 2024
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Along with preventing and treating disease the provision of good end-of-life care has always been central to medicine. An assisted dying bill is being introduced to Parliament and is being debated in society at large. A bill is also proceeding through the Scottish Parliamentary process. We are aware many doctors have strong, informed opinions on this important topic but there is a wide spectrum of considered views on it within the profession as in society.
Some doctors may be unsure whether they can take part publicly in this debate. In our view it is entirely reasonable for any doctor to give their opinions, alone or in combination with others, and that the public would expect that.
There are some obvious things that should be avoided, including:
- identifying individuals you have cared for unless with their consent
- directly engaging patients in debate
- implying that the doctor or group speaks for the medical profession rather than expressing their personal views
This has to be a decision for society as a whole, expressed through Parliament.
Whatever Parliament decides, we believe the medical profession will be unanimous on 2 things:
- that we must not undermine the provision of good end-of-life care for all including the outstanding work done by palliative care clinicians
- that individual doctors and other healthcare workers should be able to exercise freedom of conscience as, for example, happens with abortion care currently
This will, we are sure, be common ground for all sides of this complex societal decision.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England
Professor Sir Michael McBride, CMO for Northern Ireland
Professor Sir Gregor Smith, CMO for Scotland
Professor Sir Frank Atherton, CMO for Wales
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England
Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy CMO for England
Professor Thomas Waite, Deputy CMO for England
Dr Aidan Fowler, Deputy CMO for England
Professor Lourda Geoghegan, Deputy CMO for Northern Ireland
Dr Naresh Chada, Deputy CMO for Northern Ireland
Professor Marion Bain, Deputy CMO for Scotland
Professor Nicola Steedman, Deputy CMO for Scotland
Professor Graham Ellis, Deputy CMO for Scotland
Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Deputy CMO for Wales
Dr Keith Reid, Deputy CMO for Wales