Assisted Dying Bill Introduced
The Health Secretary has described assisted dying as a timely and necessary debate as a new bill was brought to Parliament. The bill, introduced by Labour's ex-Justice Secretary Lord Falconer in the House of Lords, would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to receive medical assistance to end their lives.
Health Secretary's Perspective
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his internal conflict on the issue, stating, "It is a debate I will wrestle with. I'm uncharacteristically undecided on this issue, but it is a debate whose time has come." The bill is expected to be debated in November, with the possibility of a Commons debate in September.
Advocacy for Assisted Dying
Assisted dying advocate Dame Esther Rantzen, 84, shared her positive outlook on the bill, saying, "This week...I caught a glimpse of hope." While assisting someone to end their life is currently illegal in England and Wales, there have been movements in Scotland, Jersey, and the Isle of Man towards changing the law.
