Dr Stephen Duckworth

"We need to legalise assisted dying because all of us, no matter what happens, deserve the choice to know that we won't be forced to suffer at the end of our lives." #YesToDignity

Today the Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer joined me in thanking colleagues for their hard work on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill committee, and confirmed that if Parliament passes the Bill, the Government will respect the will of the House & ensure its safe implementation.

‘I don’t want to go through that alone, it’s cruel and inhumane.’ As Parliament debates the Assisted Dying Bill, LBC’s @NatashaC talks to campaigner @sophieRblake and MP @kimleadbeater on the challenges for families of terminally ill adults seeking to end their lives.

Today, the Terminally Ill Adults Bill Committee started debating the third layer of oversight in the assisted dying process. On the advice of expert witnesses, we are laying the groundwork for the introduction of a multidisciplinary expert panel. 🧵

“There are cases where palliative care cannot meet the patient’s needs. ... These are real stories of real human beings.” @kimleadbeater mentions Laura, who was traumatised by the memory of watching her mum suffer an inhumane death.

“This should be a robust process with thorough checks, safeguards and balances throughout.” Thank you @kimleadbeater for speaking up for dying people, who must remain at the heart of this process. #YesToDignity

On my way to Parliament, to speak about Voluntary Assisted Dying. I will share my experience with my wonderful mother, who died last year in NSW. She was allowed to have this control over her death, so she could die with dignity, how and when she chose. prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/a-good-d…

Pleased to see @kimleadbeater make a common sense change to the Assisted Dying Bill that will improve the safeguards that prevent coercion and abuse. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

“I feel that it actually strengthens the Bill and I welcome this decision.” – Jo White MP @kimleadbeater has listened to evidence from jurisdictions around the world. This new safeguarding process will protect terminally ill people and their families as best as possible.

This is an important change which will significantly strengthen the safeguards in the assisted dying bill. It is the result of careful listening to the evidence and the views of those who worry about coercion & capacity. I will support the amendment. theguardian.com/society/2025/f…

By introducing an Assisted Dying Commission led by a High Court Judge & expert panels to oversee every decision, the safeguards of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill are enhanced further with a multidisciplinary layer of protection⬇️ theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

The committee looking at my Terminally Ill Adults Bill will begin line-by-line scrutiny next week. This is vital to ensure it is as strong, safe & practical as possible. This week I have tabled amendments with input from the Government that do just that. theguardian.com/society/2025/f…

'The status quo has consequences', Liam McArthur MSP, the Member in charge of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill told the Committee today. Learn more about our scrutiny: ow.ly/OJa050UTgI3 Watch the meeting in full: ow.ly/VWpW50UTgac

Can’t understand why some are griping about the idea that assisted dying cases be heard not by a judge (too many delays given current backlog) but panel of a solicitor, social worker and psychologist chaired by a retired judge - quicker AND so much more reliable. Really sensible.

It's been a couple of days since we finished up our first week of the Assisted Dying Bill Committee, where we heard from 50 witnesses supportive and opposed to the Bill. I wanted to share what we have been doing and how it works 👇

Liz’s brother Rob used Queensland’s assisted dying law to die on his own terms. "The care he had was sensational."

Pat's brother Michael took his own life at home after being diagnosed with the same incurable cancer as their father. His brother was determined to avoid the extremely painful death their father had endured.

"So I'm left with very good memories of such a peaceful death that was going to happen regardless, but that he was at peace with. So that helped me." Julie shares the story of her husband who had an assisted death in Spain

"She died a thousand miles from home. She should have died in her house with her family and her dogs on the bed. And she shouldn't have been denied that." Pat shares the story of his sister who went to Dignitas

Liz shares the story of her brother Rob's assisted death in Australia, "He went from hospital to a hospice, had a date planned for his funeral. He then changed his mind and extended it, because it was better than being in a hospital and the hospice care was great. But he still landed at the same point, that this isn't living, and it's not what he wanted."