Jersey could soon allow assisted dying for residents only amid concerns the island could become a suicide destination

• Jersey residents may soon be allowed to choose to legally end their own lives
• It comes after the Isle of Mann passed assisted dying legislation for its residents
• READ MORE: Three out of four Scots in favour of assisted dying, new poll reveals 

Jersey could soon allow assisted dying but for residents only amid concerns the island may become a suicide destination.

A review was launched in 2021 after the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide that assisted dying should be allowed.

Richard Huxtable, a professor of medical law and ethics at Bristol University, led the ethical review to evaluate different areas such as who could be granted permission to end their lives.

The review found that assisted dying was ‘ethically appropriate’ for adults with 12 months left to live for neurodegenerative conditions or six months for other illnesses and who were suffering. 

It also suggested they would have to have lived in Jersey for at least 12 months.

It said adults in Jersey seeking assisted dying should be separated into two categories – those who are ‘terminally ill’, and those with ‘unbearable suffering’. 

Jersey (file image) could soon allow assisted dying but for residents only amid concerns the island may become a suicide destination, a review has found.

The review was launched in 2021 after the States Assembly became the first parliament in the British Isles to decide that assisted dying should be permitted. Pictured: Map of Jersey

Experts said it was not appropriate for those facing ‘unbearable suffering’ to end their life as the term is too vague.

They argued that the range of suffering can change over time and be influenced by different social and psychological factors. 

Allowing assisted dying as a solution ‘may lead to the expansion of assisted dying in terms of numbers and scope, they decided, The Times reports.

The authors also considered age eligibility, putting forward advice that assisted dying should only be for adults.

They also said health workers ‘should have the right to conscientiously object to direct participation in assisted dying, not least because it is a controversial practice, which does not serve the usual aims of medicine’.

The Council of Ministers hopes assisted dying will be debated by the end of next summer.

The Council of Ministers hopes assisted dying will be debated by the end of next summer. (File image of Jersey)

Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Karen Wilson, said: ‘I would like to thank the authors of the review for their work.

‘This review will ensure that States Members are sighted on the range of complex ethical and moral considerations associated with these proposals.

‘Over the coming months the government will be working to progress the States Assembly’s ‘in principle’ decision, and lodge the detailed proposals in the new year.’

The Isle of Man’s parliament, Tynwald, last week voted through a bill which may allow adults with six months or less to live – who have been on the island for a year – to die with assistance. 

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