The Isle of Man is set to become the first place in the UK where assisted dying is legal, after a bill cleared the last parliamentary hurdle before royal assent.
The legislation would give terminally ill people “autonomy and choice” at the end of their life, according to Dr Alex Allinson, a GP and politician who introduced the private member’s bill in 2022.
As the proposed legislation was voted through by the parliament’s upper chamber, the bill will now be put forward for royal assent, after which it will become law.
Members of what is known as its legislative council approved a final reading of the Assisted Dying Bill on Tuesday.
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Dr Alex Allinson, member of the House of Keys (MHK), said he was hopeful assisted dying can be legalised by later this year and become available by 2027.
The GP said he had “met many patients who have wanted this option” and described it as a privilege to have been able to bring the bill forward.
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“It has been a long process, but it was something that, when I went into politics, I was committed to try to advance,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to be in the privileged position of being able to bring this legislation through. People have been trying on the Isle of Man for the last 20 years to provide dignity and autonomy for those who are facing an imminent death.
“And I see this as a culmination of the efforts of many members of our community to provide for assisted dying for people on the Isle of Man.”
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Who could go for assisted dying under the proposed law?
The bill is only for adults who have been residing on the island for five years and who have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 12 months.
They must also have a settled intention to end their life.
Would all doctors provide the service?
Doctors will be free to choose whether they want to opt-in to providing the service, following a previous request by the British Medical Association (BMA) that it should be a choice.
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What’s the opposition?
Those against the Isle of Man’s assisted dying bill have voiced concerns that legalising the practice could put pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives for fear of being a burden on others.
They argue the disabled, elderly, sick or depressed could be especially at risk.
But Dr Allinson said that while he understood and respected the perspectives of those opposed to legalisation, the bill had been drafted through “a very careful process”, with expert evidence taken into account throughout.
What about assisted dying elsewhere in the UK?
A committee of MPs at Westminster are nearing the end of their scrutiny of a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales.
Various amendments are being considered to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
