Current law has led to unregulated and dangerous practices, doctors tell commission on assisted dying

The United Kingdom’s current attitude to assisted dying will seem “inhumane” and “barbaric” in future if the law is changed to allow it , doctors from a group of healthcare professionals supporting the change have told the Commission on Assisted Dying.

Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying, which has around 400 members, was set up six months ago (as Dignity in Dying: Healthcare Professionals for Change) to press for reform of the law (BMJ 2010;341:c5498, doi:10.1136/bmj.c5498). Chaired by Ann McPherson, a retired GP who is dying from pancreatic cancer, it includes 43 consultants, 205 other doctors, and more than 50 nurses among its members.

Dr McPherson told the commission, chaired by the former lord chancellor Charles Falconer, that …