Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Caroline Nokes and Simon Opher

2nd reading
Friday 11th September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Dr Opher]

I am going to carry on; I will be very brief.

There has been a lot of concern—quite rightly—about disabled people and people from black and Asian minorities and whether they will be harshly dealt with. In fact, the evidence from other jurisdictions is that these people do not go for assisted dying—it is actually a white, middle-class, able-bodied thing—so in a way we have the opposite problem to deal with.

Let me also say, to answer a point made earlier, that studies done in California showed that where people with terminal illness and depression were treated for their depression, it made no difference to their choice on assisted dying. Assisted dying is different because, as my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket (Dr Prinsley) said, it is a choice not between life and death, but between someone’s death from natural causes and death under their own control. I say to all hon. Members that we have a choice to make in five or ten minutes, but we must give other people that choice. Is it our right to deny those people that choice? I will end my remarks as Madam Deputy Speaker is giving me some black looks.

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

That brings us to the Front Bench contributions.

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Caroline Nokes and Simon Opher

Friday 16th May 2025 Commons Chamber

[Madam Deputy Speaker]

I reassure the hon. Lady that I have heard her point. I repeat that I will not make a pre-decision on any closure motion that has not yet been moved.

[Dr Opher]

I will be very quick, Madam Deputy Speaker, because I am aware of the need to fit in as many people as possible.

I will address a few issues on the assessment of capacity under new clause 9. One key point about assessing capacity as a doctor is that in most cases it is very clear cut: someone either has capacity or they do not. That is quite easy and quick to establish. With a very small number of patients, it is more difficult. By amendment to the Bill made in Committee, we must now refer such a person to a consultant psychiatrist for an assessment by a specialist. They are then in the best position to assess those very difficult points of capacity. That very much strengthens the Bill.

I will speak very briefly to new clause 1. As doctors, we must, under our ethical obligations, give options to patients. If we are absolutely forbidden to do that—new clause 1 would make it a crime, so we could be convicted for doing so—that totally wrecks the doctor-patient relationship. It is unprecedented and unworkable.

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)]

Order. May I just clarify whether the hon. Gentleman was giving way?

[Dr Opher]

Yes, I am happy to give way.