Changes to the Assisted Dying Bill

The recently proposed changes to the assisted dying bill have removed the requirement for a High Court judge's approval for assisted death requests, replacing it with a multi-disciplinary panel involving a senior lawyer, psychiatrist, and social worker. Supporters of the change argue that this revision makes the process safer by preventing potential coercion by family or partners, as the new panel is better suited to assess mental capacity and signs of abuse. Critics express concern that removing judicial oversight undermines the safeguards previously considered essential for protecting vulnerable individuals from being pressured into ending their lives. This shift in approach has generated significant debate among MPs, many of whom are questioning the bill’s safety and its original assurances.