Assisted deaths could top 4,000 in 10th year after law change
Summary
A new review of the policy suggests that if assisted dying is legalized, the number of assisted deaths in England and Wales could exceed 4,000 in a decade. This estimation, part of an official impact assessment, also includes financial analyses of the proposed system but doesn't delve into ethical or philosophical discussions.Key Facts
- The official impact assessment estimates that the number of assisted deaths could be more than 4,000 in the tenth year after the law comes into force.
- Initially, lower numbers of assisted deaths are expected, with growth over time.
- The number of assisted deaths in the first half year of service could be between 164 and 787, and between 1,042 and 4,559 in the tenth year.
- The cost of staffing an assisted dying service could exceed £10m a year within a decade.
- Savings for the National Health Service (NHS) in the first six months could range from £919,000 to £10.3m due to reduced care costs.
- One assisted death could involve six health and care professionals working for 32 hours.
- Each case review panel, including a lawyer, psychiatrist, and social worker, could cost £2,000 a day.
- The government is currently neutral on the issue of assisted dying.
- The Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is in favor of the bill, while former Paralympian and member of the House of Lords, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, opposes it.
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