Overview

• The bill would permit terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live to seek medical assistance to end their lives after two mandatory reflection periods.
• The Justice Secretary criticized the private members’ bill framework for offering inadequate time to consider more than 100 proposed amendments.
• The Royal College of Psychiatrists has voiced opposition, warning that patients with depression could be at risk and that there are too few specialists for the required assessments.
• Backers led by Labour’s Kim Leadbeater maintain the legislation includes robust safeguards, requiring approval from two doctors and a multi-disciplinary panel.
• MPs will resume report-stage debates on June 13, with a possible third reading vote if parliamentary time allows.