Written question asked by William Bain (Labour) on Thursday, 20 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 October 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Euthanasia

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is available to healthcare professionals caring for dying patients who request medical assistance to hasten their death.

Answer: Euthanasia, the intentional taking of life albeit at a patient's request or for a merciful motive, is unlawful as is encouraging or assisting the suicide of another person.Professional guidance to support healthcare staff who may have to deal with requests for help to hasten death has been issued by the Royal College of Nursing (““When someone asks for your assistance to die, October 2011””):"www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/410638/004167.pdf"and by the British Medical Association (““Responding to patient requests relating to assisted suicide: guidance for doctors in England/Wales and Northern Ireland, July 2010””):"www.bma.org.uk/images/assistedsuicideguidancejuly2010_tcm41-198675.pdf"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 76711; 534 c238W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Euthanasia
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Euthanasia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk