The assisted dying bill has undergone significant changes as MPs voted to prohibit doctors from initiating conversations about the practice with minors. The controversial legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek medical help to end their lives. It now includes stricter safeguards after a heated parliamentary debate.
In a key vote, MPs backed an amendment by Labour’s Meg Hillier barring healthcare professionals from discussing assisted dying with patients under 18. The measure passed 259 to 216, dealing the first defeat to the bill’s sponsor, Kim Leadbeater, in the Commons. Hillier argued the change was necessary to prevent future expansion of the law to younger age groups.
Critics, including Conservative MP Neil Shastri-Hurst, warned the restriction could isolate terminally ill teens. These teens might be forced to seek information online rather than from trusted medical professionals. Another Hillier proposal blocking doctors from raising the topic with any patient was rejected by a narrower margin (256–230).
Further amendments included:
- A ban on advertising assisted dying services, though ministers retain power to exempt informational campaigns.
- A provision ensuring deaths under the bill would not automatically trigger coroner investigations, despite concerns this might obscure malpractice.
Green Party’s Ellie Chowns countered that such deaths would face “more scrutiny than any other,” making additional reviews redundant.
While the assisted dying bill cleared its initial Commons vote in November, at least a dozen former supporters now oppose it. Friday’s debate saw accusations of procedural stalling. Lib Dem Christine Jardine accused colleagues of “petty” tactics.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock noted over 90 hours of debate and 500 amendments reviewed. However, Conservative Kieran Mullan argued the “consequential” bill deserved more time.
The legislation faces a critical vote on June 20. If approved, it heads to the Lords; if rejected, it collapses. With protests outside Parliament—some demanding “choice over death,” others urging “kill the bill not the ill” the assisted dying bill remains one of the most divisive issues in modern UK politics.
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