RCN Scotland briefing - Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
05 September 2024
This briefing outlines RCN Scotland’s position on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. It is aimed at RCN members and stakeholders with an interest in this issue.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
Since 2009, the RCN has held a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed. This reflects our members' differing views on the issue and means we neither support nor oppose attempts to change the law.
Notwithstanding our neutral position on whether assisted dying should be legalised, we have concerns with the Bill as currently drafted which we set out in this briefing. If assisted dying is legalised, there are a number of changes we wish to see to ensure that nurses have a genuine choice about whether, and if so to what extent, they are willing to participate. We also believe that the safeguards protecting nurses, both those who may wish to participate and those who may not, need to be strengthened.
Read more on the RCN’s position on Assisted Dying.
Since 2009, the RCN has held a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed. This reflects our members' differing views on the issue and means we neither support nor oppose attempts to change the law.
Notwithstanding our neutral position on whether assisted dying should be legalised, we have concerns with the Bill as currently drafted which we set out in this briefing. If assisted dying is legalised, there are a number of changes we wish to see to ensure that nurses have a genuine choice about whether, and if so to what extent, they are willing to participate. We also believe that the safeguards protecting nurses, both those who may wish to participate and those who may not, need to be strengthened.
Read more on the RCN’s position on Assisted Dying.
Page last updated - 19/09/2024
