Ethical issues arising from the assisted dying debate
The assisted dying debate is complex, with confusion over definitions and the stance taken by professional bodies. It can also be challenging to make sense of the claims made by those who support changes in the law regarding assisted dying. End of life care is an important aspect of a nurse’s role and therefore understanding the ethical issues arising from the debate is useful for nurses in clinical practice. This article outlines the legal position in the UK and the bills currently before the Westminster and Scottish parliaments proposing changes in the law. It also considers major ethical issues arising from the debate, along with the nurse’s role in caring for patients requesting assisted dying.
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Why you should read this article
- to enhance your understanding of the concept of a 'good death'
- to familiarise yourself with the nurse’s role in caring for patients requesting assisted dying
- to contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers)
- to contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
Resource last reviewed
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Authors
Janet Holt (Associate professor in healthcare ethics - School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, England)
