Assisted Dying in Scotland: What happens next?

The Scottish Parliament voted in favour of taking a landmark first step toward legalising assisted dying on Tuesday.

The legislation would give terminally ill patients the option of requesting help to end their own lives.

In its current form, it would require two doctors to independently certify that someone is both terminally ill and has the mental capacity to request an assisted death. It would only be available to people who are registered with a GP in Scotland and have lived here for at least 12 months.

However, the Bill must first get through the next stage of scrutiny and survive a final vote at the Scottish Parliament.

Politics

Leadbeater praises MSPs’ assisted dying vote amid warning Bill is ‘inadequate’

Kim Leadbeater said she is ‘pleased’ that MSPs backed the general principles of assisted dying as psychiatrists raised ‘serious concerns’ over Bill.

The Assisted Dying Bill has just survived the first stage of becoming law.

MSPs have considered and approved the “general principles” of it, and they have allowed it to move on to stage 2 – the detailed scrutiny and amendment phase.

After MSPs have made and agreed any amendments, the Bill will come back for a final vote to determine whether or not it will become law.

Highlands & Islands

‘I’m delighted I could be able to choose my own death’

The legislation would give terminally ill patients the option of requesting help to end their own life.

At that point, if it’s approved, the Bill must also receive Royal Assent from the King.

Although passing the first vote is a major milestone, Scotland’s Assisted Dying debate is far from over.

A similar debate is raging down in England and Wales as well, with MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill due to return to the House of Commons on Friday.

The Westminster Bill would allow an assisted death for those living in England and Wales with a terminal illness with less than six months to live. They would need the approval of two doctors and a panel – including a specialist lawyer, social worker and psychiatrist.

MPs will debate amendments to the Bill on Friday with votes likely on some key proposed changes. If, as expected, it takes more than one session, it will be debated again on June 13.

In the meantime, Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill champion, Scottish Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, said he’ll continue to have discussions with MSPs and medical and legal experts over the coming months to ensure the Scottish Bill gives people a choice in a way that is “robustly safeguarded”.

“So that terminally ill adults can have the choice of accessing assisted dying, alongside other palliative care and support at the end of life,” he said.

“This Bill has been a long time coming but, at long last, it can offer that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.”