Contributions
1,183 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fourteenth sitting)I have a simple point to make; the hon. Gentleman can work out what he is going to say next while I make my brief intervention. The point is that the referral to a psychiatrist…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I completely agree with what the hon. Gentleman is saying about the importance of getting the training right, but even if the training were right it might not be robust enough.…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)The hon. Gentleman is making an important point about the obligations on doctors to communicate the range of options that patients have, and we are going to discuss that more…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am not talking about the withdrawal of treatment, which I recognise is covered by the same legal framework—particularly the Mental Capacity Act—as other healthcare…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)As I understand it, the objection to the amendment is on the basis that it sets up an alternative framework for other healthcare decisions. Is it the Minister’s view that assisted…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Last intervention, I promise—maybe. I do not mean it is my last intervention ever, just in this speech—no, in this minute! An amendment was tabled by the hon. Member for Richmond…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I rise to speak to new clause 6, in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull West and Shirley; to amendment 368, in the name of my right hon. Friend the Member for East…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am grateful to the hon. Lady and am sure that that will be welcomed. It does rather go back to the point that the organisations made at the outset, which is that they wish they…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am afraid that that seems to be the strong impression that many groups have. I will quote quickly from a submission that we have received from someone at the National Down…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I hope that the hon. Member is not suggesting that all 600 would be averted by the Bill. He might be right that some would be, and I recognise that. However, the purpose of…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)This is an important debate to have, because the clear implication of a doctor making a recommendation is that this option would be good for the patient. It is one of many—26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Indeed, it is not a recommendation; but in laying out this option for the patient, the doctor is clearly communicating that it might be the right thing for the patient to do and…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)Certainly, there are adverse consequences for all sorts of treatments, but putting assisted dying on the table and making it clear that this is an option for the patient can only…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am absolutely sure that is right, and I am grateful to the hon. Lady for making that important point. For anybody, but particularly for the vulnerable and those in distress, as…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I recognise that, but I repeat that by offering antidepressants, he is suggesting to his patients that it may well be the right thing for them to do. He puts in front of his…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I think my hon. Friend is suggesting that a doctor should suggest assisted dying as an option in every case, because if he is suggesting that a reasonable patient would want to…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I am grateful to the hon. Member for highlighting that. I disagree with the BMA—I think that its idea of balance is actually an incoherence in the Bill. I note that the BMA…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Fifteenth sitting)I recognise that it is an attempt to give maximum leeway to doctors. I think that is dangerous and puts doctors in a very difficult position. The BMA made the point that it is…26 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We are all being very courteous, and it is absolutely right that we should be. I have absolute respect for the good faith of every Member here, but let us not use cotton wool in…25 Feb 2025HANSARDTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (Twelfth sitting)We have debated that issue; I apologise. My concern is that the Bill, which is masquerading as a safeguarding Bill but is actually an autonomy Bill, will end in less autonomy for…25 Feb 2025