PLANS to introduce assisted dying legislation will be pushed forward today after being overwhelmingly backed by a public consultation.
LibDems MSP Liam McArthur will formally lodge his Assisted Dying Bill at Holyrood today after 76 per cent of respondents to a formal consultation said they were fully supportive of the proposed law for terminally ill adults.
Two per cent were partially supportive.
Under the proposals, two doctors would independently confirm the person is terminally ill, establish that the person has the mental capacity to request assisted dying, assess that the person is making an informed decision without pressure or coercion.
More than 14,000 consultation responses were received – the highest number of responses ever received for a consultation on a proposed member’s bill.
Mr McArthur said: "It is clear that a majority of people who responded are in favour of a new assisted dying law in Scotland and that the choices we have around how we die is an issue that needs addressing.
“As well as thoughtful perspectives on how an assisted dying law would work in Scotland, I have heard from dying people who would very much like to have this choice available to them as their illness progresses.
"People who, right now, face a series of unimaginable choices and would have peace of mind in their final months knowing that if they need it when the time comes they can have a peaceful death that is right for them.
"I have also been particularly struck by many harrowing accounts from those who witnessed their loved ones endure a bad death. They sent a powerful message that, even with excellent palliative care, the option of an assisted death would have made such a difference in terms of reducing unnecessary suffering.
"A safe and compassionate assisted dying law is a law that’s time has come.”
“I am pleased to be lodging the final proposal for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Members Bill in the Scottish Parliament today.
"I am confident of receiving the necessary signatures from my MSP colleagues which allows me to proceed with the drafting of a bill I hope to introduce to Parliament next year. I then look forward to taking the Bill through its parliamentary journey.”
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