Second public meeting needed to answer queries on assisted dying

Sunday 22 April 2018

So many questions have arisen since the prospect of introducing legislation to allow assisted dying was raised politically that a second public meeting on the matter is now being planned.

A Requête, lodged by Deputy Gavin St Pier is due to be debated by the States next month - if approved work will have to start to investigate how new laws allowed assisted dying could be introduced locally.

One of the signatories to the Requete, Deputy Barry Brehaut, has said the public response to the Requête has been so strong that they want to answer all the questions which have arisen.

Pictured: Deputy Barry Brehaut

“Thankfully so far, the public debate on this issue through the media, social media and in direct correspondence with Deputies has been of a high quality" he said, "It is a real testament to the maturity of us as a jurisdiction that people can hold views very strongly on both sides of the debate but express them in a considered and mutually respectful manner.” 

Following the cordial public debate so far, the signatories to the Requete have agreed a second public meeting should be held at 19:00 on Thursday 10 May, at a location to be announced.

“A number of questions and issues have arisen in the discussion which we feel it would be useful to air in a public meeting,” said Deputy Brehaut.

“There is considerable public interest in this important matter and this is likely to increase as we get closer to the debate. In the meantime, I would encourage the public to continue to express their views directly to all Deputies – and the easiest way to do this is in one go is to use the deputies2016@gov.gg email address.” 

Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier

Meanwhile, the politician leading the Requête, Deputy St Pier, is continuing to discuss concerns raised with the British Medical Association, which has previously said its stance is against assisted dying.

Deputy St Pier has shared letters he has exchanged with the BMA where he said if the legislation is adopted locally, then the highest priority will be to introduce safeguards offering protection to patients and doctors. He wrote that they would want to "begin conversations with relevant organisations who are prepared to work with us constructively to develop safeguarded legislation." He has asked the BMA to let him know before the debate's scheduled start date of 16 May, how the organisation would intend to work with the States of Guernsey to progress this legislation if the Requête is successful. 

Pictured top: File image of a previous public meeting on assisted dying