Mary Kelly Foy backs GPs opposed to Assisted Dying Bill
The Assisted Dying Bill, which has been signed by doctors of different specialities, is due to return to parliament this Friday (June 13), when MPs are expected to vote on the remaining stages of the Bill.
The Bill has attracted support from campaigners, but many disability charities and medical practitioners remain opposed to the Bill in its current form.
Ms Foy has worked with Professor Colin Rees, Consultant Gastroenterologist and a member of the Royal College of Physicians working group on assisted dying, and recently organised a Parliamentary drop-in so MPs could hear the concerns of medical practitioners directly.
The City of Durham MP has also widely shared the letter, signed by more than 1,000 doctors, to other Parliamentary colleagues.
The letter highlights the concerns of GPs, and states the Bill poses a risk to patients, families and the workforce.
It adds that there is not enough evidence from medical experts and people with disabilities, claims that the Bill is “deeply flawed” and that it is not safe.
Ms Foy said: “As the Assisted Dying Bill continues to make its way through Parliament, I have made my opposition to the Bill clear, particularly due to what seemed to be a lack of evidence from experts, and the lack of safeguards that we were promised would be included.
“This letter makes clear that significant numbers of medical professionals remain utterly unconvinced that this Bill is fit for purpose and will actually widen inequalities. It fails to protect against coercion, and completely bypasses families in the decision making process.
“There is no doubt that a mature, informed debate about the future of assisted dying can take place, but rushing into passing a flawed bill that puts patients and medical practitioners at risk is not the way forward”.
Prof Rees added: “Many doctors believe that this Bill is simply not safe. This letter stands alongside statements from major colleges such as the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists who have expressed major concerns with this Bill.
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“We do not feel that the concerns of the medical profession are being listened to and we urge MPs to read this letter and listen to our concerns.
“This letter outlines the risks this Bill poses to patients, to their families, to palliative care, to the medical workforce and to good medical practice.
“This Bill does not safeguard our patients”.