Ukhealthcommitteeass Isteddying-rcperespo Nse.pdf

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh responded to the UK Health & Social Care Committee Inquiry into Assisted dying/assisted suicide, stating that England and Wales generally offer high-quality palliative care services, but there are challenges around inequities in access. The RCPE supports continuing investment in palliative care provision and efforts to increase awareness of palliative care amongst clinicians. They consider that improving palliative care services may reduce arguments in favor of assisted dying/assisted suicide. The RCPE has no organizational stance on assisted dying, but emphasizes the need for robust evidence and stringent safeguards if assisted dying legislation progresses. They highlight concerns about professional and ethical considerations, including assessing competence and informed consent, and the potential for coercion. The RCPE suggests that eligibility criteria for assisted dying services should be precise and that a multidisciplinary team assessment is essential for informed decision-making. They also emphasize the importance of protecting individuals from coercion and ensuring that people have access to all required information to make an informed decision.