Assisted dying law needs strengthening - panel

Key safeguards in assisted dying laws for Jersey need strengthening before being introduced, a panel has said.

In January, States Assembly members approved the principles of the draft legislation which would enable people with a terminal illness who are experiencing incurable suffering to end their life with the help of a medical professional.

A report from the Assisted Dying Review Panel said while the draft law embedded numerous important safeguards, there were areas which required bolstering.

Chairwoman Louise Doublet said 28 recommendations from the panel aimed to "provide clarity where ambiguity remained". The legislation is due to be debated by the States on 24 February.

Recommendations from the panel included having a clear appeals process to address concerns about disagreements and minimum experience requirements for professionals who would give the drugs to end someone's life.

The panel also said the law should ensure "robust criteria for assessing physical incapacity" supported by consistent guidance and regular training.

Doublet said assisted dying had been one of the "most sensitive and ethically complex issues" brought to the States.

"It raises significant and thought-provoking questions about autonomy, dignity and compassion, as well as how any vulnerability must be addressed with robust safeguards," she said.

She added the panel recognised significant work had been done by the government to design the assisted dying law's framework, but some areas were underdeveloped.

Doublet said the recommendations were intended to strengthen legislation, provide clarity and ensure the assisted dying framework reflected "the highest standards of safeguarding, compassion and good governance".

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