Urgent – Psychiatrists withdraw support for assisted suicide

In a surprise move, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has dropped its support for the Assisted Dying Bill, saying that there is a danger people suffering from depression will use it to get help to commit suicide, and that there is inadequate scrutiny of the medical condition of those seeking help to die.  The RCP’s opposition will be of particular concern to Ms Leadbeater and her supporters, because the requirement for approval of any request by a High Court judge – which had been trumpeted as an iron-clad safeguard – was dropped some weeks ago, after it was pointed out that such a requirement would place an unsustainable burden on the judiciary and be administratively unworkable.  Instead, the requirement for approval was to be put into the hands of an expert panel, consisting of a senior lawyer (area of expertise unspecified), a social worker, and a psychiatrist.

The Royal College of Physicians, by the by, has already expressed a similar position to that of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

As it’s progressed, the flaws in this ill thought-out proposed legislation are increasingly coming to light.  There remains a real danger, however, that it will nevertheless be passed.  This is not a time for complacency, but renewed effort.

Please contact your MP today, pointing out the growing medical opposition to this flawed Bill and the demonstrable failure, as result, of any proposed safeguards.  As a matter of public protection, ask him or her to vote against this dangerous Bill.

Third reading tomorrow.
Please pray that life will triumph over death!

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