An Islander with experience of palliative care or supporting a dying loved one is being sought to help oversee Jersey’s assisted-dying service.
Dr Sarah Wollaston, who chairs the Assisted Dying Assurance and Delivery Committee, is encouraging people to apply to represent patients and families before next week’s deadline – including those with reservations about assisted dying.
The committee will oversee preparations for the service and scrutinise how it operates once it opens.
“I think it’s really important that this committee moving forward keeps patients and families at the heart of everything we do,” she said.
Applicants could be receiving palliative care themselves or have supported a relative through end-of-life care.
Dr Wollaston, who has cared for members of her own family, said the successful applicant would need to bring a wider perspective.
“We’re looking for somebody in Jersey who might like to be a voice for other people – not necessarily just to be talking about their own experiences – but to be there speaking on behalf of families who are going through this,” she explained.
People who have concerns about assisted dying are welcome to apply, although the committee’s role will be to oversee the implementation of legislation already approved, rather than reopen the debate.
A key responsibility will be ensuring patients are not coerced or subjected to undue influence, alongside protections for those who object to participating.
Dr Wollaston said the committee must ensure that people with objections “don’t feel that they’re being pressured in any way into taking part”.
The representative role involves around 15 days a year, potentially more during preparations. A separate position is available for someone representing an end-of-life care organisation.
Meanwhile, Dr Wollaston said the service remained “on track” to open in early autumn 2027, putting Jersey on course to become the first place in the British Isles to offer legal assisted dying.
Work includes training programmes, operational guidance and arrangements for advocacy, translation and support for patients with communication difficulties.
However, the service cannot start until both the committee and Jersey Care Commission are satisfied it is safe and ready.
“There will be a lot of eyes on this, and if we have a service that isn’t ready to go, that won’t be in the best interests of the people of Jersey,” she said.
“I can see that the huge amount of work is going on. Health and Care Jersey is working very hard to keep this moving forward with pace and clear direction.”
Applications close on Thursday 22 October through the Leading Our Island website.
