Swinney urged to ‘protect vulnerable Scots’ and oppose Assisted Dying Bill

First Minister John Swinney is being urged to “protect vulnerable and marginalised Scots” by speaking out against plans to legalise assisted dying for those suffering from a terminal illness.

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has brought forward legislation at Holyrood which aims to give terminally ill adults the right to request help to end their life.

MSPs on Holyrood’s Health Committee have been scrutinising the plans, and as they work on their report to MSPs, the First Minister has been urged to make his views on the matter clear.

A group of experts and academics have written to Mr Swinney, telling him that there is “no room for error or uncertainty” on the issue.

The group, which includes Dr Miro Griffiths of the Better Way campaign against assisted dying, told the First Minister: “As experts in medicine, disability, sociology, law, and other fields, we believe ‘assisted dying’ is inherently unsafe, and practically unworkable.

“We would urge you to protect vulnerable and marginalised Scots and maintain your opposition to this practice. Scotland can articulate a better way forward.”

They told the First Minister that his government should be “committed to upholding the safety, dignity, and equality of Scottish citizens” but said that the “introduction of ‘assisted dying’ would jeopardise this aim”.

Failings and abuses under ‘assisted dying’ laws are intrinsically linked to people who already face inequalities of various kinds: lonely elderly people; the disabled people’s community; and people facing poverty

The experts used their letter to suggest the “inefficacy of safeguards” in every area which had introduced some form of assisted dying legislation.

Here they added: “Failings and abuses under ‘assisted dying’ laws are intrinsically linked to people who already face inequalities of various kinds: lonely elderly people; the disabled people’s community; and people facing poverty.

“The practice also places highly vulnerable citizens at increased risk of harm.”

The letter goes on to say that medical professionals who work providing palliative care are “overwhelmingly opposed to a change in the law”.

It added: “Palliative care professionals have a unique understanding of issues arising at the end of life – their voices should be heeded.”

The plea comes ahead of Holyrood’s Health Committee publishing a report on Mr McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

After that, the legislation will come before MSPs for a key vote, with Holyrood to determine if it agrees with the general principles of the Bill or not.

Mr Swinney said last year that he was “actively and carefully” considering his position, and would make his views known on Mr McArthur’s Bill ahead of the vote at the Scottish Parliament.

Mr McArthur said: “I have spoken to countless people across the country about the harrowing deaths they have witnessed, and to dying people facing a series of horrible decisions often despite the very best efforts of palliative care. All agree that what we need at the end of life is excellent care and more choice.

“I am confident that my proposals represent a robust and well safeguarded bill, allowing Scots access to the choice of an assisted death if they have an advanced, progressive terminal illness and the mental capacity to make the decision.

“Similar safeguards have been successfully introduced to protect against coercion in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where they continue to enjoy strong public support.

“Furthermore, where a terminal illness and mental capacity model of assisted during has been introduced, there has never been a ‘slippery slope’ or loosening of the eligibility criteria. This was also the conclusion reached by the cross-party House of Commons Health Committee last year after an extensive inquiry.

“Assisted dying is not a failure of palliative care; it is an extension of patient-centred care. That is why we need improved investment in and access to palliative care, alongside the choice of an assisted death for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

“Throughout this process, I have been committed to ensuring that the right protections are in place and that the Bill I have put forward has safety measures woven into the fabric of the proposals. These protections address the concerns raised here.

“However, I remain open to listening to and engaging constructively with expert groups in order to ensure that the Bill delivers its objective of giving dying people the compassionate choice they need and the robust protections and oversight the public demands.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Member’s Bill, not a Scottish Government Bill.

“It is the role of the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee to scrutinise the Bill, and it will be for the Scottish Parliament to decide on whether or not to pass it.

“The Scottish Government has agreed to be neutral at this stage, and ministers will have a free vote on the Bill.”