RCGP opposed to assisted dying law change

The Royal College of General Practitioners will continue to oppose a change in the law on assisted dying, following a consultation of its members.

Ratified by the RCGP's governing council, the member survey was conducted independently by Savanta ComRes, with 6,674 members from across the UK responding to the online survey - 13.47 per cent of those consulted.

Members were asked whether RCGP should change its current position of opposing a change in the law on assisted dying. In total, 47 per cent of respondents said that the RCGP should oppose a change in the law on assisted dying whilst 40 per cent of respondents said the RCGP should support a change in the law on assisted dying, providing there is a regulatory framework and appropriate safeguarding processes in place. Furthermore, 11 per cent of respondents said that the RCGP should have a neutral position and two per cent of respondents abstained from answering.

Under current laws in each of the four UK nations, assisted dying is illegal.

Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "As the UK's largest medical royal college it is important that we engage in debate and listen to what our members have to say on wide-ranging issues affecting GPs and their patients. Assisted dying is a controversial topic and this was reflected in the responses to our consultation. However, the highest proportion of respondents said that the college should continue to oppose a change in the law on assisted dying.

"This was the largest consultation on an issue of public policy that the College has conducted both in terms of response rate and volume of respondents. The survey results have been helpful in guiding college council as to what our position should be. The role of the college now is to ensure that patients receive the best possible palliative and end of life care, and to this end we are working with Marie Curie and others to support this.”