Guidance for doctors on assisted dying not sufficiently clear - MPs

73-84% Public support indicated in opinion polls for the legalisation of assisted dying within strict guidelines

- Harriet Sherwood

531 Number of Britons who went to Dignitas seeking an assisted death between 1998 and 2022

Laws to allow assisted dying may pass in Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man in the next few years, leading to a divergence between different parts of the UK and the crown dependencies, MPs have warned.

The government must consider the repercussions of this, a parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying has said.

Jersey, the Isle of Man and Scotland are all considering the legalisation of assisted dying, although in each case only permanent residents would be eligible.

"It looks increasingly likely that at least one jurisdiction among the UK and crown dependencies will allow [assisted dying] in the near future and ministers should be actively involved in discussions about how to approach the divergence in legislation," said a report from the health and social care committee.

It also recommends doctors be given clear guidance on how to respond to requests for medical reports from terminally ill patients considering travelling abroad for an assisted death.

Although it is not illegal to provide medical reports to facilitate assisted dying abroad, the British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors not to do so, while the General Medical Council (GMC) says providing access to a patient's records should not be considered encouragement or assistance.

"It does not seem to be entirely clear to doctors what they are allowed to do," the report says. Revised guidance from the GMC and BMA was needed, it adds.