Royal College of GPs to Review Position on Assisted Dying

The RCGP is set to provide an update on its stance regarding assisted dying legislation in the UK.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the professional membership body for general practitioners in the UK, is expected to announce its formal position on assisted dying following an internal consultation.

Currently, the RCGP maintains a stance opposing any changes to the law regarding assisted dying, a position it has held since 2005.

In a significant development, a majority of the college’s council members voted last year in favor of consulting its members about potentially altering this stance.

This review comes amid a backdrop of increasing legislative dialogue surrounding assisted dying, particularly after a historic vote in November where Members of Parliament (MPs) advanced proposed legislation concerning assisted dying in England and Wales.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, the chairwoman of the RCGP, commented on the sensitivity of the issue, describing it as one of the most contentious topics facing society.

She highlighted that this is a deeply personal and legislative matter that evokes a range of opinions among general practitioners.

Previous surveys indicated significant variability in GPs' views on assisted dying.

As part of the consultation process, RCGP members were surveyed regarding their preferences on the college's position on assisted dying, as well as the potential actions the council should take based on the feedback received.

The college's governing council, which is comprised of elected representatives from the broader UK membership, is scheduled to convene privately to discuss the survey results on Friday, with an expected public announcement regarding the college's official stance to follow.

In the broader context of this issue, the Royal College of Nursing adopted a neutral position on assisted dying in 2009, and the British Medical Association shifted from opposing assisted dying to a neutral stance in 2021. Additionally, a committee of 23 MPs is currently conducting detailed scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which is anticipated to return to the House of Commons for further debate and voting towards the end of April.