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Published by The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Stage 1 report: Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
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Published: Wednesday 30 Apr 2025 (HSCSS062025R02)
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Overview
Report
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Overview
Report
Membership changes
Executive summary
Introduction
Overview of the Bill
Background to the Bill
Legal position
Previous attempts to legislate in the UK
Legislation around the world
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee consideration
Consideration by other committees
Views for and against assisted dying
Suffering
Dignity
Autonomy
Devaluing the lives of certain groups
Risk of coercion
'Slippery slope'
Palliative care
Legal and human rights considerations
The risks of a legal challenge extending the eligibility criteria in the Bill
Views on whether the Bill sufficiently protects vulnerable groups
Views on oversight of decisions to protect human rights
Views on options for challenging decisions made by doctors
Eligibility and capacity
Definition of terminal illness
Additional eligibility criteria
Initial request for assistance
Period of reflection
Signing by proxy
Provision of assistance
Death certification
Implications for the health service and healthcare professions
Overall service model
Conscientious objection
Staff training, qualifications and guidance
Coercion
Limitations on effect of Act
Views on the impact of competence issues on the Bill
Provision of information, reporting and review
Views on the information, reporting and review provisions
Concluding recommendations
Annexe A: Extracts from Committee minutes
Annexe B: Evidence and information gathered
Oral evidence (and associated submissions and correspondence)
Other correspondence
Notes of fact-finding visits and engagement activity
SPICe briefings and blogs
Membership changes
Executive summary
Introduction
Background to the Bill
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee consideration
Consideration by other committees
Views for and against assisted dying
Palliative care
Legal and human rights considerations
Eligibility and capacity
Initial request for assistance
Period of reflection
Signing by proxy
Provision of assistance
Death certification
Implications for the health service and healthcare professions
Coercion
Limitations on effect of Act
Provision of information, reporting and review
Concluding recommendations
Annexe A: Extracts from Committee minutes
Annexe B: Evidence and information gathered
Sources
Image: Figure 1: Which of the following factors are most important to you when considering the issue of assisted dying? Please rank a maximum of 3 options. Number of responses (’000s) that ranked each factor (whether 1st, 2nd or 3rd)
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