Consultation on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults
Published: 01/08/24
The Scottish Parliament are looking for views on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. This bill would introduce a lawful form of assisted dying for people aged 16 or over with a terminal illness.
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Partially support
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on the terminal illness criterion for determining eligibility for assisted dying?
Assisted dying should be available only to people who are terminally ill, and the definition of terminal illness in the Bill is about right.
If you selected Other, please provide your answer in the text box below:
Space for further comment on your answer:
The Bill is focused on terminally ill adults and the definition should be clear on that. The safeguards through the Bill would look like they ensure the focus and safeguards in this Bill do that.
Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on the minimum age at which people should be eligible for assisted dying?
The minimum age should be 18
If you selected Other, please provide your answer in the text box below:
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The age above is consistent with legislation CPS has seen for other areas e.g. Victoria in Australia. This would seem around the correct age for informed consent to be enabled.
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on the Assisted Dying procedure and the procedural safeguards set out in the Bill?
The procedure strikes an appropriate balance
Space for further comment on your answer:
First and second declarations after a period of reflection including independent medical practitioners and other adults alongside the coordinating medical practitioner would provide safeguards. There is a focus on looking for coercion and the warning signs around that, that would be required.
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on this aspect of the Bill?
If you selected Other, please provide your answer in the text box below:
As an organisation CPS has an interest in this as ultimately our members, and their teams, will be asked to supply these substances.
Space for further comment on your answer:
As an organisation CPS has an interest in this as ultimately our members, and their teams, will be asked to supply these substances. It is unclear from the Bill that this responsibility will even fall to community pharmacy as the prescribing, dispensing and disposal of any voluntary assisted dying substance is not touched on, in any detail, in the Bill from a pharmacy perspective.
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on how the Bill may affect the medical profession? Tick all that apply.
The Bill strikes an appropriate balance by requiring that there are medical practitioners involved, but also allowing those with a conscientious objection to opt out.
If you selected Other, please provide your answer in the text box below: Space for further comment on your answer:
Although pharmacists are not mentioned specifically, even in terms of supply, the principle of a conscientious objection opt out, is one that we believe is desired by the profession. It’s inclusion in the Bill is therefore welcome for those who would choose to exercise it.
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on recording the cause of death?
I support this approach because this will help to avoid potential stigma associated with assisted death
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Which of the following most closely matches your opinion on the reporting and review requirements set out in the Bill?
The reporting and review requirements set out in the Bill are broadly appropriate
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As an organisation Community Pharmacy Scotland have provided factual information around Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and will continue to provide information around medicine to those seeking our expertise should it be required. More detail on the role of the wider primary healthcare team including community pharmacists is required in future stages of the bill.
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