Patient perspectives like mine are missing from the government’s assisted dying discussions

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill recently heard evidence for safeguards within the bill, which has been subject to over 1000 amendments put forward by members.12 Any evaluation of proposed legislation must consider the instrumental value of a change in law for the public.2 If passed, the new legal framework for assisted dying would primarily affect terminally ill people. Still, the Lords Select Committee did not invite any evidence from terminally ill people. The omission of the patient voice in these discussions contradicts the essence of the bill, which seeks to safeguard the autonomy of dying patients.Legalisation of assisted dying continues to lag behind public opinion. The British Attitudes Survey has shown consistently since 1995 that nearly 80% of people think assisted dying should definitely or probably be allowed for terminally ill people.34 Should the bill be passed, the UK will…