Dr Alex Allinson’s bid to introduce assisted dying laws to the Isle of Man has cleared a key stage in the House of Keys.
The controversial private member’s bill would introduce a right to allow terminal ill islanders to medically end their own lives.
Tuesday’s sitting saw MHKs ensure that any healthcare professional who were to support an assisted death would not be committing a crime.
Dr Michelle Haywood said she brought forward the amendment after discussions with staff who said they didn’t feel able to publicly support the bill as they “fear that their position would be placed at risk”.
Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas’ bid to have a register of medics providing the service was not supported by members.
Clauses
The bill has seen heated and passionate debate from most MHKs who have sought to amend the bill, even from those who have admitted they are fundamentally opposed to it, but have attempted to ensure if a system is introduce it is the best it can be.
Other recent weeks members have assured the employment rights of medics who refuse to take part, extended the residency requirement to five years, required patients to self-administer an approved substance and increased the life expectancy to 12 months from six.
The Keys has also rejected a bid from the Chief Minister to put the bill to a referendum.
Next Stage
The bill will now be put before the Keys for its third reading, which will see members debate and vote on the entire bill as it has been amended.
If it passes that stage then the bill will go before the Legislative Council in October.
5 Comments