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Jersey's progress in implementing assisted dying legislation has sparked national discussions and calls for similar changes across the UK, with a campaign group leader “applauding” Jersey's “leadership” in the area.
As the States Assembly prepares to debate the details of proposed legislation in May, assisted dying has gained traction on a national scale.
The legislation was backed in principle in Jersey by politicans in late 2021 and the debate to discuss the details has been recently expedited by Health Minister Tom Binet.
This has sparked increased awareness and debates on the topic – with politicians in the Isle of Man backing the concept and the Scottish Parliament gearing up to address the issue later this year.
Pictured: Jersey's timetable for the next assisted dying debate has been accelerated by the new Health Minister, Tom Binet – a prominent campaigner in support of assisted dying before his election to the States Assembly.
Sarah Wootton, CEO of the campaign group Dignity in Dying, praised Jersey for its leadership in this area.
She said: "Jersey should be applauded for its leadership on assisted dying; for listening to its citizens and to dying people and their loved ones and taking steps towards a law to be proud of – one that is better, safer and more compassionate than the status quo.
"This progress is rightly prompting debate throughout the British Isles, with the UK Government being urged to engage and assisted dying proposals also moving forward in the Isle of Man and Scotland."
She added: "Since the States Assembly's historic vote to support the principle of assisted dying in 2021, the evidence that banning this choice is unsafe and inadequate has grown and grown.
"We welcome the announcement last week that proposals have moved forward and will now be debated in May.
"Dying people in Jersey don't have time to wait – assisted dying is a movement whose time has come."
Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent broadcaster and campaigner, has also commended Jersey's progress on the issue – after she revealed in December her decision to join the Swiss assisted-dying organisation Dignitas following her stage four lung cancer diagnosis.
Momentum for legislative change in Jersey has been boosted by a cross-party committee of Westminster MPs, the Health and Social Care Select Committee, who have urged the UK Government to engage in the debate.
The Committee recently published the findings of a review into assisted dying, which highlighted the increasing likelihood of legalising assisted dying in Jersey, the Isle of Man and Scotland, and said that the UK government must make plans if the law is changed in these jurisdictions.
Pictured: Steve Brine MP, Chair of the select committee.
The select committee report stated: "It looks increasingly likely that at least one jurisdiction among the UK and Crown Dependencies will allow [assisted dying] in the near future and ministers should be actively involved in discussions about how to approach the divergence in legislation."
The committee also recommended doctors be given clear guidance on how to respond to requests for medical reports from terminally ill patients considering travelling abroad for an assisted death.
Jersey's timetable for the next debate on assisted dying has been accelerated by Deputy Binet, a prominent campaigner in support of the legislation before his election to the States Assembly.
While his predecessor, Deputy Karen Wilson, stated last October that the debate on details of Jersey's law would be delayed by around six months until the third quarter of this year, Deputy Binet confirmed on 21 February that he would lodge a report and proposition on 22 March.
This would be followed by an extended nine-week period before the debate on 21 May.
The Health Minister said this move recognised calls made by a number of States Members to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible, adding: "I feel that this strikes the appropriate balance between offering States Members sufficient time to consider the proposals without creating any further delays to progress this piece of work."
UK select committee focuses on Jersey's assisted dying move
Assisted dying proposals vote scheduled for May
Assisted dying proposals delayed to avoid end-of-year rush (October 2023)
Health Minister pledges to put forward assisted dying plan by end of year (April 2023)
Gov needs more time to consider public feedback on assisted dying (February 2023)
EXPLAINED: How assisted dying is proposed to work in Jersey
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