Scrutiny panel to review assisted dying plans

Friday 29 March 2024

Proposals to introduce an assisted dying service in Jersey are being reviewed by a Scrutiny panel.

In May, the States Assembly will be asked to decide whether assisted dying legislation should be limited to those with terminal conditions causing unbearable suffering, or whether it should also cover individuals with incurable conditions causing unbearable suffering.

The fine details of the law were published in a Council of Ministers’ proposition lodged week – just over two years after Jersey became the first place in the British Isles to vote to approve assisted dying in principle.

The Assisted Dying Review Panel will now examine the final proposals, considering in particular:

• Whether any changes have been made to the original proposals (proposed in 2021), and if so, why; and

• Whether the proposed processes and safeguards for all individuals involved in assisted dying uphold patients’ dignity and wishes.

The panel will examine all evidence received to date from experts and stakeholders and will hold a public hearing with the Health Minister.

Pictured: The Assisted Dying Review Panel is chaired by Deputy Louise Doublet.

The panel, chaired by Deputy Louise Doublet sitting alongside Deputies Sir Philip Bailhache and Catherine Curtis, will then publish a report on their findings, possibly including recommendations.

If the proposition is approved, assisted dying could become available in the second half of 2027.

Deputy Doublet said: “The Assembly decided in 2021 to permit assisted dying in Jersey in principle, and since then, government has been working on developing the proposals.

“The Review Panel’s role is to scrutinise and evaluate the final proposals that have now been lodged, before they are debated in the Assembly in May.

“We are going to focus on the safeguarding provisions, as well as any other areas of concern that arise over the course of the review.

“Assisted dying is a complex and nuanced issue – the Review Panel takes its role incredibly seriously and will bring a rigorous approach and a high level of commitment to this work.”