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Laws to allow assisted dying may pass in Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man<\/a> in the next few years, leading to a divergence between different parts of the UK and British Isles, MPs have warned.<\/p>\n The government must consider the repercussions of this, a parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying has said.<\/p>\n Jersey, the Isle of Man and Scotland<\/a> are all considering the legalisation of assisted dying, although in each case only permanent residents would be eligible.<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks increasingly likely that at least one jurisdiction among the UK and crown dependencies will allow [assisted dying] in the near future and ministers should be actively involved in discussions about how to approach the divergence in legislation,\u201d says a report from the health and social care committee.<\/p>\n It also recommends doctors be given clear guidance on how to respond to requests for medical reports from terminally ill patients considering travelling abroad for an assisted death.<\/p>\n Although it is not illegal to provide medical reports to facilitate assisted dying abroad, the British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors not to do so, while the General Medical Council (GMC) says providing access to a patient\u2019s records should not be considered encouragement or assistance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt does not seem to be entirely clear to doctors what they are allowed to do,\u201d the report says, adding that revised guidance from the GMC and BMA is needed.<\/p>\n The report urges the government to commit to increased financial support for hospices and \u201censure universal coverage of palliative and end-of-life services\u201d.<\/p>\n The inquiry considered more than 68,000 responses from members of the public and 380 pieces of written evidence during the course of its inquiry into assisted dying.<\/p>\n Its report, published on Thursday, does not come down on one side or the other of what it describes as a \u201cdifficult, sensitive and yet crucial subject\u201d. Rather, it is intended to be a resource to inform continued debate, including the possibility of a parliamentary vote in the next few years.<\/p>\n The committee heard from supporters of a change in the law, who argue that too many people have agonising and undignified deaths. Legislation would not offer terminally ill people a choice between life and death but some control over the manner and timing of their death.<\/p>\n Opponents of assisted dying told the committee that legislation was a \u201cslippery slope\u201d and may encourage pressure on old and sick people. Instead of legalising assisted dying, more resources should be allocated to palliative care.<\/p>\n Steve Brine, the committee chair, said the inquiry \u201craised the most complex issues that we as a committee have faced, with strong feelings and opinions in the evidence we heard. We intend the information and testimony we present in our report today to \u2026 be a significant and useful resource for future debates on the issue.\u201d He thanked those who had shared \u201cvery difficult personal stories\u201d.<\/p>\n The report was finalised amid growing pressure for change after the broadcaster Esther Rantzen revealed in December that she was considering assisted dying<\/a>, having been diagnosed with an incurable cancer.<\/p>\n Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, backed a call for a change<\/a> in the law and the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, said the issue \u201cdoes need to be debated\u201d<\/a>. The last parliamentary vote on legalising assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated<\/a> by 330 to 118, but many more MPs are now thought to be in favour.<\/p>\n Opinion polls have shown that between 73% and 84% of the public support legalisation within strict guidelines. Between 1998 and 2022, 531 Britons travelled to Dignitas in Switzerland<\/a> for an assisted death, the report says.<\/p>\n It is not illegal for a British citizen to travel abroad for an assisted death but anyone accompanying or helping the person may be subject to investigation and prosecution.<\/p>\n