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The case for dignity

This paper looks at the lessons we can learn on assisted dying on safety and in palliative care.

A pink strip at the top of the paper with the words: "Centre Think Tank ISSN 2634-4696". The paper is titled "The case for dignity: Lessons on assisted dying on safety and in palliative care from around the world". Below is a light blue section with two hands holding each other. Below this is the words: "Research paper. By Pushkin Defyer, 29th April 2023. At the bottom is a white strip with the Centre logo in pink beneath.

The case for dignity: Lessons on assisted dying on safety and in palliative care from around the world

This paper looks at the lessons we can learn on assisted dying, on safety, and in palliative care. It looks at lessons from states that use assisted dying in the United States and Australia. These are California, Oregon, Washington, Victoria, and Western Australia.
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The case for dignity - one page summary

One-page summary version of our paper "The Case for Dignity".
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Quick summary

  • This paper covers the impacts of assisted dying legislation on the palliative care sector and what risks there are that the system could be abused using case studies around the world. Both sections conclude that new legislation carries little risk of abuse and would likely not negatively impact palliative care.
  • The first section looks at the examples of California, Oregon, Washington, Victoria, and Western Australia for historical instances of abuse. It finds that individuals have a high degree of autonomy within the process and many individuals decide not to use the option of assisted dying despite having direct access to it.
  • The second section looks at the impacts on the palliative care sector which has often been under-invested in. It shows that there is concern amongst those in the sector but over time some groups have voiced support for a change in the law.
  • The second section also shows governments generally increased funding for palliative care following the introduction of assisted death legislation.

Coverage

The words "The Guardian" written in blue.

Jonathan Dimbleby urges Members of Parliament to ‘get off the fence’ on assisted dying

"Before the debate, the think tank Centre released a paper addressing two main concerns around the legalisation of assisted dying."
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Authors

Pushkin Defyer

Pushkin was our Head of Membership Development. He was previously on the executive of the Young Liberals and is now a member of the Labour Party. He has worked with candidates from multiple parties during election campaigns.

Author and editor

Torrin Wilkins

Director and Founder

Torrin is the Founder and Director of the Centre. His experience includes authoring over a dozen papers and over one hundred policies. His policies have been backed by an All-Party Parliamentary Group of over 260 MPs and included in various party manifestos. He regularly appears in a wide range of print and broadcast media and previously had a weekly column for a national publication. He also has a degree in Political Studies from Aberystwyth University.

Foreword

Dr Alex Allinson MHK

Member of the House of Keys and Minister for the Treasury

Alex is an independent Member of the House of Keys and the Minister for the Treasury. He proposed the recent bill on assisted dying on the Isle of Man, which later became law. Previously, Alex successfully led the effort to legalise abortion on the Isle of Man. He is also a general practitioner in Ramsey.

Outcomes

Influencing the debate within the Isle of Man

Our paper received endorsements from multiple members of the House of Keys, including Dr Alex Allinson, MHK, who sponsored the bill. We also sent out a briefing to all members of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council.

Parliamentary event

This paper was the focus of an All-Party Parliamentary Group event focusing on assisted dying systems in Australia and America.

Parliamentary success

The Isle of Man voted to implement assisted dying, passing the bill by Dr Alex Allinson MHK into law.

Influencing the debate within the Isle of Man

Our paper received endorsements from multiple members of the House of Keys, including Dr Alex Allinson, MHK, who sponsored the bill. We also sent out a briefing to all members of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council.

Parliamentary event

This paper was the focus of an All-Party Parliamentary Group event focusing on assisted dying systems in Australia and America.

Parliamentary success

The Isle of Man voted to implement assisted dying, passing the bill by Dr Alex Allinson MHK into law.