A flood of concerns over Scotland's drift to state-sanctioned murder is weighing on some MSPs as the crucial vote gets closer. And now the Scottish Parliament’s health committee has decided not to advise MSPs how to vote on Liam McArthur MSP’s assisted suicide Bill, saying the issue is a “matter of conscience”.
In its assessment of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee did not give any recommendations on the general principles of the Bill, but raised a series of concerns, including over “doctor shopping” and eligibility criteria being “extended over time”.
Under the proposals, those aged 16 or over who have been resident in Scotland for at least twelve months could get help from a medic to kill themselves if they are deemed to be terminally ill. The Stage 1 debate, when MSPs will vote on the Bill for the first time, is scheduled for 13 May.
The Committee explained that since the Bill’s definition of terminal illness does not include a specific life expectancy requirement, patients who “may not be approaching death for a considerable period of time” could be eligible for assisted suicide.
Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, highlighted several areas of the Bill which would need further consideration, including “issues around human rights, coercion, eligibility criteria, provision of assistance, self-administration and conscientious objection for healthcare workers.
“We also recognise that there are particular complexities associated with those aspects of the Bill which extend beyond the limits of the powers currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament.”
But Better Way spokesman Dr Miro Griffiths emphasised: “Palliative care doctors, psychiatrists, disabled people’s organisations, experts in the care of older people and others have cautioned that a change in the law would inevitably lead to abuses against the most vulnerable.
“No number of safeguards could rule out coercion of patients through subtle pressure applied behind closed doors.”