Doctors Could Quit Over Assisted Dying Law

Members of the island’s Medical Society says they remain strongly opposed to the introduction of assisted dying legislation, over a third of saying they would consider leaving if it is introduced.

There were 108 responses to the survey, which the society says represents a 61% response rate.

Of the respondents, 74% said they are against assisted dying legislation being introduced, with over half (54%) said they feel it would have a negative impact on recruitment.

Asked whether the introduction of the law would make them consider leaving the island to practice elsewhere, 25% said they strongly agreed with that statement, while 9% said they agreed with it. A further 21% neither agreed or disagreed.

The survey also showed opposition to taking an active role in aiding people to end their own lives if the law was to be changed, with 75% saying they would not do so.

However, less than a half said they were totally against referring patients to other doctors.

The doctors have also raised concerns over the psychological impact on people with vulnerabilities (physical illness and disability, poverty, learning difficulties and mental illness).

The Society said: ‘Doctors are worried about this group, whose welfare most needs protecting by those in authority are most likely to be harmed by this legislation.’

Only 10% of doctors also thought it would be straightforward to decide who had a life expectancy of six months.

See the full results here.