Over 250 doctors and senior health professionals have urged Welsh politicians to reject the assisted dying bill currently moving through the UK Parliament.
In an open letter, they said that while end-of-life care in Wales often falls short due to a lack of palliative and hospice beds, the proposed law is not the solution.
The medical experts warned that the bill could put patients at risk and weaken Wales’ control over its healthcare system. Without consent from the Senedd (Welsh Parliament), it is still possible that people in Wales could legally seek an assisted death, but it would not be provided through the Welsh NHS.
The Senedd is set to vote on 20 January on whether to allow Westminster to legislate on this matter. While the arrangement is not legally binding, the UK Parliament generally cannot make laws on devolved issues such as health in Wales without the Senedd’s approval.
The Terminally Ill Adults Bill would give adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live the right to end their own lives.
Signatories of the letter include Dame Deirdre Hine, former chief medical officer for Wales, and several palliative care consultants. They highlighted risks such as misdiagnosis, misinformation, and potential pressure on vulnerable patients to end their lives due to lack of services or feeling like a burden.
Dr Victoria Wheatley, a palliative care consultant and signatory, described the bill as “extremely unsafe” and said safeguards were “completely inadequate.”
The Welsh government has taken a neutral stance. If the Senedd rejects the bill, people seeking assisted dying may have to go to England or Scotland. Any future provision in Wales would depend on regulations set by the next Senedd after the May elections.
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