response to the assisted dying bill

I have received a huge level of correspondence on this matter and understand that this is an extremely important issue to many of my constituents on both sides of the debate. I would like to thank many of you for sharing your very personal stories with me, highlighting how deeply this potential legislation will impact people, whether they are supportive of it, or opposed to it.

While I attended Parliament on Friday 16^th of May, there was no substantive vote on the progress of the Bill on that day. Members voted on a number of amendments and you can see my record of voting here - Voting record for Dr Lauren Sullivan - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament. The Bill is due to return to the House on the 13^th of June and I will again be attending . I remain opposed to this potential legislation and I have included my most recent statement below which sets out why:
 
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out and share their experiences with me and have spoken up for those they love on both sides of this debate. This is an incredibly emotive and multi-faceted subject, many aspects of which have not been considered or are in the scope of this Bill in its current form. This has been very important in reaching my decision on how to vote, and I am grateful for so many constituents that have felt able to share their personal stories with me.
 
Receiving a serious medical diagnosis can be a terrifying and bewildering time and I understand the very strong need to feel in control of the decisions around your healthcare which I feel is absolutely understandable and necessary. This is why I believe that the focus should be on living well and dying well, providing the care, critical intervention and support that those receiving such devastating news need as individuals and as family and friends.
 
We must commit as a society to ensuring that individuals are provided with high quality palliative support, physically and mentally. Those that wish to end their life must be fully involved in the process, consulted and engaged with directly, not through proxy, as the primary focus of their care and provided with the best treatment throughout their diagnosis and treatment. This should be available on the NHS. No one should die in fear and pain, but also should not die due to a lack of good end of life support. No one should feel pressured by anyone or ever feel guilty or like a burden to others or society and choose to potentially drastically reduce their remaining precious time with loved ones due to a medical condition or disability. 

I am concerned that our NHS and care system is not working properly and therefore before we consider opening the door to assisted dying this must be fixed first. I am concerned about safeguarding and coercion in this space and the lack of consequences for those that do commit offences. I feel that this should receive the strongest deterrent. I feel that this Bill as written does not meet this safeguarding or deterrent threshold and this needs to be in place before I could support an assisted dying bill.
 
We are incredibly lucky in Gravesham to have charities, hospices and care organisations such as Ellenor, the hospice care charity, who provide high quality palliative care and end of life support. Ellenor have provided invaluable support to my own family which I am so thankful for, as I know other families are as well, and I know the value of their important work for our community in Gravesham.
 
I have listened to constituents, and I believe that this debate should be about care and support and ensuring we have a health and social care system that is fixed and fully funded so that dying well is the standard.
 
Having carefully considered the points on both sides of the debate, I do not feel able to support this Bill in its current form for the reasons above. As a scientist and someone that has also had family members who have suffered at the end of their life, I support the principle of choice should there be sufficient safeguards, including ensuring that the person involved does not feel any guilt or pressure and that anyone who seeks to pressure or coerce will face the consequences and never benefit from such actions.
 
I will, however, continue to listen to my constituents and experts in this field to inform my view as the debate continues to develop and thank you all for your comments.