Manx split on assisted suicide: doctors respond

more: Press Releases, Opinion, Press Releases/Opinion

3rd April 2023

Manx Duty of Care responds to the results of the Consultation on Assisted Dying.

Manx split on assisted suicide: doctors respond

Press Release: 3rd April 2023

Manx Duty of Care, an informal group of Manx health and social care workers who oppose Assisted Dying legislation, notes that, although it was a close result, a majority of respondents to the consultation agree that legalising Assisted Dying in the Isle of Man would create more problems than it solves.

Despite the clear bias in favour of Assisted Dying in the promotion, preamble, questions and report, the message is clear. On Jan 12th this year an article about Dr Allinson's views in the Manx Independent stated that if the consultation found in favour, then the Bill would go ahead. So now that a majority of respondents are against it, we propose he should stop using valuable Tynwald time on this.

Dr Ben Harris, President of the IOM Medical Society and Director of Hospice Isle of Man said,

'I was delighted to see the results of the Consultation which constitute a democratic rejection of assisted dying legislation on the Isle of Man. If this proposed Bill is allowed to go forward it will provide more choice for the privileged, but put undue pressure on the sick, aged, poor, disabled and vulnerable to end their lives prematurely. It would irreparably damage our caring Manx society. The experience in other jurisdictions has demonstrated there is no safe way to legislate for assisted dying and it should now be dropped completely. I thank so many for the warm words of appreciation and support for Hospice Isle of Man. This encourages us to strive for even better palliative care for all, and to eliminate that fear of the dying process, which was movingly expressed by some respondents. The IOM has spoken!'

To better explore the evidence from jurisdictions which have implemented Assisted Dying, we have invited Dr Claud Regnard, an Honorary Consultant in Palliative Care at St Oswald's, Newcastle. He will speak on the topic of evidence, his area of special expertise, at public meetings on the Island on the 16th and 17th May.