Written question asked by Baroness Meacher (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 19 January 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 February 2022. It was answered by Lord Kamall (Conservative) on Monday, 31 January 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Euthanasia

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has developed or accredited any (1) information, or (2) guidance, to support clinicians to care for a person living with a progressive or terminal illness who wishes to voluntarily stop eating and drinking with the intention of accelerating their death.

Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a guideline Care of dying adults in the last days of life which makes recommendations on maintaining hydration, including taking into account the wishes of the person and discussing the risks and benefits of clinically assisted hydration. NICE has also published Shared decision making, which includes guidance on communicating risks, benefits and consequences. Additionally, NICE’s guideline Decision-making and mental capacity includes recommendations on advance care planning, including helping people to exercise their right to personal autonomy as far as possible. Copies of these guidelines are attached.

Secondary information