Implementing assisted suicide legislation “should not be done at speed”, the Chief Medical Officer for England has said, warning that it is “extremely difficult” to define terminal illnesses.
Giving evidence to a committee of MPs, Professor Chris Whitty urged caution when bringing in a new bill, arguing it could take years to get appropriate safeguards in place.
Under the terms of the bill, terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live would be enabled to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge.
Implementing the new policy would take effect within two years of the bill becoming law, which means it could be in use by 2027.
Asked whether the NHS would be ready to offer an assisted dying service by then, Whitty said that there should not be a “firm deadline” and the focus should instead be on providing a “safe, fair and secure service”.
