Assisted Dying: 'Still a long way to go' says Allinson

HoK committee makes 14 'conclusions' on proposed legislation

There is still a long way to go before assisted dying could be introduced on the Isle of Man.

That’s the belief of the MHK who is pushing to allow terminally ill people to choose when to end their lives.

But Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill has now been through a House of Keys committee.

That committee – chaired by Douglas North MHK David Ashford – was set up at the end of last year to review the clauses of the Private Members’ Bill.

It followed a political vote which demonstrated support for an Assisted Dying Bill – something that followed many years of campaigning.

You can find out more HERE.

Conclusions

Since then the committee has gathered a range of evidence from, but not limited to, the First Deemster, the Isle of Man Medical Society, MHKs, the Association of British Insurers, the Royal College of Nursing and the Isle of Man Insurance Association.

It's come up with 14 conclusions – including amendments to some of the proposed legislation – to ensure assisted dying could be a legal and safe choice for terminally ill people who choose to go down this route.

They include a recommendation that those applying for an assisted death must have been resident on the Isle of Man for five years.

That’s a change to the original requirement for a patient to be ordinarily resident for not less than one year which the committee found ‘insufficient’.

In addition a person's terminal illness must have a prognosis of 12 months rather than the six months originally proposed.

The committee also suggests that there also needs to be sufficient training and support made available to medical practitioners who indicate they are prepared to participate in the assisted dying pathway.

Dr Alex Allinson told Manx Radio he’s happy with the suggestions put forward as he appreciates it’s a very ‘sensitive subject’:

Report

You can find the House of Keys Committee on the Assisted Dying Bill report HERE.

The committee intends to move that the report by received by the House of Keys on 23 April.

It can then be debated before progressing to a third reading and then Legislative Council.

Once completed it would receive Royal Assent – a process that could possibly be completed by next year.