The Isle of Man Medical Society has warned of the “profound risks” of the Assisted Dying Law that has just received Royal Assent.
Following the announcement this morning that the legislation had been given Royal Assent, a spokesperson said: “While we acknowledge the constitutional process, the IoMMS maintains its firm and steadfast position regarding the profound risks this legislation poses to healthcare, vulnerable patients, and the medical profession across the island.”
That position was “grounded” in consensus of local clinicians, the spokesperson said, saying that 74% of doctors in the island opposed assisted dying.
The government says the law will not come into force until all practical and safeguarding issues have been addressed. The need for associated laws to also be in place means it may not be until 2028 that everything would be ready,.
But the society’s “fundamental concerns” remain unchanged.
Protecting Patients
“Our primary duty is to care for and protect patients.
“We remain deeply concerned about the potential coercive and adverse impacts on vulnerable members of our community, including the elderly, disabled individuals, and those living with mental health conditions.
“True compassionate care consists of high-quality, fully resourced palliative care and support, rather than actively hastening death.”
Integrity
Another concern was professional integrity.
“No medications used in assisted dying protocols globally are licensed or systematically regulated for this purpose,” said the spokersperson
“The society maintains serious concerns regarding clinical safety, unpredictability, and complications associated with these high-dose regimes.”
Forced involvement “risks placing Manx doctors in conflict with General Medical Council (GMC) regulations and professional ethics, putting medical practitioners’ licences to practise and livelihoods at risk”.
The society also warns that involving Manx Care in the administration or delivery of an assisted dying service “threatens to destabilise essential health and social care” delivery.
Implementation Phase
The spokesperson added: “As the Isle of Man enters the implementation phase prior to any service launch, the IoMMS calls upon the Department of Health and Social Care and Manx Care to ensure total transparency, robust regulatory safeguards, and full protection for the right of complete conscientious objection for all medical, nursing, and pharmacy personnel.
“No clinician or healthcare provider must be compelled to participate in or facilitate the procedure in any form.”
Government Reaction
The government says no date has been set to implement the Assisted Dying Law.
It has issued a statement following the announcement this morning of Royal Assent.
The statement says: “Assisted dying will allow a person who is terminally ill to choose, in specific circumstances and with strict safeguards in place, to end their life with medical assistance.
“The Act will not come into force until all practical, clinical and safeguarding arrangements have been agreed.”
Significant Moment
It adds: “This is a significant and sensitive moment for the island, but it marks the start of a careful process, not the end of one.
“There is still a great deal of detailed work to do before the law can come into force, and this will take time to get right.”
The Department of Health and Social Care will set up a programme with “clear governance and accountability”.
It will include practical details, training, managing medicines safely, safeguards and independent oversight.
Pledge
The statement adds: “It also includes understanding how these new arrangements will fit alongside existing health and care services, and what they mean for the island financially and practically.
“Some of this work depends on other safeguarding laws being in place first. Assisted dying cannot begin until specific parts of the Capacity Act are in force, which is currently expected by April 2028.”
It ends with a pledge: “The service will not begin until government is confident it is genuinely ready.
“This will require listening carefully to those affected, drawing on clinical, legal and safeguarding expertise, and remaining open with Tynwald about the decisions still to be made.”
