Assisted Dying Bill must contain the necessary safeguards to protect nurses and nursing practice

During his evidence Colin reiterated the Royal College of Nursing’s neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed. He highlighted that, if passed, the Bill would see registered nurses potentially playing a significant role in the assisted dying process and that, at present, the RCN is not satisfied that adequate safeguards are in place to protect nurses and nursing practice. 

Colin’s responses to the Committee’s questions highlighted our considerable concerns with the Bill as currently drafted.

He highlighted the need for the Bill to contain safeguards for health professionals that go beyond conscientious objection. 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 or not they are willing to participate and, if they are, to what extent. 

Colin made clear that an ‘opt-in’ model of delivery should be set out in the Bill if it is to progress, so that only registered nurses who positively choose to participate, and who have completed mandatory training, will be expected to do so. 

He highlighted that the provision of assisted dying cannot simply be added to existing teams which are already under severe pressure, and that dedicated resources for training and support would be essential. 

Questioning from MSPs on the capacity checks set out in the Bill provided an opportunity to highlight our concerns regarding lone working and our view that the Bill must require two registered health professionals to attend together to provide assistance to end life.

Since 2009, we have held a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed, which reflects our members' differing views on the issue and means we neither support nor oppose attempts to change the law. All our work to comment on and influence the Bill is guided by this neutral position and has been informed by responses to our recent member survey which asked members for their views on the Bill and the role of nursing if the legislation passes. Almost 2,000 registered nurses, nursing students, nursing support workers and retired nurses from across Scotland responded to the survey.

Commenting after the evidence session Colin Poolman said: “The RCN’s neutral position on changing the law on assisted dying rightly reflects the differing views of our members. 

“However, if this Bill progresses it will include a significant role for registered nurses and we have a responsibility to set out the changes and safeguards we believe are necessary to protect registered nurses and nursing practice.”

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will be continuing with its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill, hearing from experts, organisations and members of the public, until early February. This will inform the Committee’s report and recommendation about whether the Parliament should support the general principles of the Bill. MSPs will then debate the Bill and decide if it should proceed to Stage 2 or be rejected.