General practitioners in England and Wales could undergo training to assist terminally ill patients in ending their lives, according to a government "death dossier" that has come to light. The proposed legislation, known as the assisted dying bill, is scheduled for further debate in Parliament next week.
If passed, the bill would allow eligible terminally ill adults with a prognosis of fewer than six months to live to choose to end their lives. The proposed training for GPs includes a 90-minute e-learning course and an hour-long online interactive session. While described as "general awareness" training, government documents also model a scenario where GPs could receive a full day of in-person training, providing more detailed knowledge of the assisted dying service's operational aspects.
Doctors who take on the more senior role of coordinating doctor would require advanced training. This role could involve explaining the mechanisms of death induced by medication, collecting prescriptions from pharmacists, and administering the drugs to patients. The documents suggest that while the final act of taking the medication must be performed by the patient, the coordinating doctor would need to remain present until death occurs or the procedure is clearly unsuccessful.
The assisted dying bill previously passed the House of Commons but stalled in the House of Lords due to numerous amendments proposed by opponents. If the new proposals are approved by MPs, the bill will return to the Lords for further consideration.
Opponents of assisted dying have criticized the proposed training as inadequate for such profound life-and-death decisions. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) document also details plans for more intensive, in-person training for hospital doctors specializing in areas such as cancer, neurology, elderly medicine, and palliative care.
England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, previously indicated that doctors involved in the later stages of assisted dying would need specific training. He suggested a tiered approach, with many healthcare professionals potentially involved in the initial stages of discussion, while a smaller group would be prepared for the more detailed final phases. The DHSC has stated that healthcare professionals would have the option to opt out of participating in assisted dying activities.
Under the proposed bill, terminally ill adults in England and Wales seeking an assisted death would require approval from two doctors and a multidisciplinary panel, comprising a senior lawyer, a psychiatrist, and a social worker.
Dr. Gillian Wright of Our Duty of Care, a network of healthcare workers opposing the bill, expressed concerns that the current proposals are not sufficiently safe. She argued that a brief e-training module would not equip doctors to detect coercion or undue influence, potentially leading to vulnerable patients feeling pressured into assisted dying. Dr. Wright also highlighted concerns about unmet mental health needs among terminally ill patients, suggesting a need for increased investment in psychological support and end-of-life care services.