McArthur responds to anti-assisted dying campaigners

Responding to anti-assisted dying organisation Care Not Killing’s submission to the call for evidence by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee in relation to his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said:

“Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots, often leaving them facing an undignified and sometimes painful death despite the very best efforts of palliative care. I have spoken to many people across the country about the harrowing deaths they have witnessed and to dying people facing a series of desperate decisions such as trying to get to Switzerland or taking matters into their own hands. It is clear that a new compassionate and safe law is required.

“My bill is extremely clear about the specific and limited circumstances it will give terminally ill adults the choice they need. Under the terms of my bill, an individual would only be eligible to access the choice of an assisted death if they had an advanced, progressive terminal illness and capacity to make the decision.

“This bill puts much needed compassion and safety in place, it is similar to laws which have been safely and successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States which enjoy strong public support. Polling suggests strong support exists for a change in the law but as parliament begins its scrutiny of my bill, I will continue to engage with charities, organisations and my fellow MSPs to understand their perspectives on this important issue.

“The recent report from the House of Commons’ Health and Social committee noted that in the evidence they received they “did not see any indications of palliative and end-of-life care deteriorating in quality or provision following the introduction of [assisted dying]; indeed the introduction of [assisted dying] has been linked with an improvement in palliative care in several jurisdictions.” Moreover, they concluded that where an assisted dying law based on terminal illness and mental capacity, like the one I have proposed for Scotland, has been introduced there has never been a loosening of the eligibility criteria."