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In light of the significant media coverage recently on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which passed its first MP vote in Westminster on 29 November, I thought it would be useful to share a brief update on the Scottish legislation which is being considered by MSPs, and RCN Scotland蜜桃直播檚 work on this issue.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, introduced at Westminster by Kim Leadbeater MP, applies to England and Wales only. 

In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in March. If passed by MSPs, the Bill will allow eligible, terminally ill adults in Scotland to request assistance by health professionals to end their own life.

There are various important differences between the two Bills and the processes by which they are being considered by the Westminster and Holyrood parliaments are also very different.

The Scottish Bill is currently being considered in detail by the Scottish Parliament蜜桃直播檚 Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. The Committee is taking evidence on the Bill and will publish a report summing up its findings. Only after this scrutiny by the Committee will MSPs debate and vote on the general principles of the Bill. We expect this vote to take place in spring 2025.

Since 2009, the RCN has held a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed, which reflects our members' differing views on the issue and means we neither support nor oppose attempts to change the law.

However, our neutral position does not mean we are silent on the issue.  We are engaged in the parliamentary process at Holyrood to ensure that the Bill contains the necessary safeguards to protect nurses and nursing practice. We are working to protect both nurses who may wish to participate in assisting a death under the framework established by the Bill, and those who may not wish to participate if the legislation progresses. 

We have submitted written evidence and last month I appeared before the Committee to answer questions from MSPs about our views on the Bill. Our work to comment on and influence the Bill is guided by our neutral position and has also been informed by responses to our recent member survey which asked members in Scotland for their views on the Bill and the role of nursing if the legislation passes. 

If the Scottish Bill passes its stage 1 vote in the spring, MSPs will then consider amendments to the Bill and we will work with MSPs to strengthen the safeguards in the Bill to protect nurses and nursing practice. We will continue to share updates with members throughout this process.

We would also recommend reading:

Assisted Dying Bill must contain the necessary safeguards to protect nurses and nursing practice

RCN Scotland briefing - Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

RCN position on assisted dying