Speeches by Opher.

“Q My question is directed to Amanda and Laura. There is a lot of natural concern about coercion with the Bill. We recognise that it is a difficult thing to assess. Would either of you change the wording of the Bill to make coercion less likely? Dr Ward: Which clause are we looking at?”

“Q265 I would like to direct this question to Dr Furst. There has been some concern in this country about the efficacy of end-of-life medications. Could you share some of your experience in Australia about how effective they are and any problems you have encountered? Dr Furst: The medications are completely effective. I…”

“Q I was interested to hear what you were saying about not all symptoms being controllable with palliative care. There is an argument that we do not have good enough palliative care, so we cannot bring in assisted dying. I think it may be a little spurious. What are your thoughts about the relationship between palliativ…”

“Q It seems clear from an expert in European law that the human rights convention is covered by this legislation, so we have got some very good advice there. I would just like to confirm that, if we could, Dr Graham. Also, to all of you: could we have some positive things that we could put in the Bill to make it safer? …”

“And do they—”

“Q First, I work as a GP with old people—I look after a nursing home— and I have to do adult safeguarding training every year. Secondly, more than 90% of psychological assessments are done in primary care. Professor Esmail, do you think that GPs are capable of spotting coercion and doing a psychological assessment? Prof…”

“Actually, my question has already been asked. Chelsea Roff: May I respond briefly? I want to address the question. I know it is not your intention for eating disorders to be included in this Bill, and I am grateful for that. When I started our research, I thought, “We just need stronger safeguards.” That was where I be…”

“Can I just confirm—”

“Q Could you briefly run through the patient pathway? Where does the patient first arrive in the healthcare setting? Who are the two doctors? Indeed, who provides assistance at the end of life? Dr McLaren: Again, each of our states, as well as the Australian Capital Territory, has different legislation and therefore dif…”

“Q I am interested in the opt-out whereby ethically, doctors can opt out of taking the decision for patients. Would they then need to steer someone towards another doctor, or can they just simply refuse to do it? Professor Whitty: Duncan may wish to comment for nurses. For doctors, we should be very mindful of the fact …”

“Q Sir Nicholas, I have great sympathy with your position, but how would you frame this law so that it would cover yourself? Sir Nicholas Mostyn: I would frame the law to define terminal illness in the way that it is defined here in clause 2(1)(a), but where the “person’s death in consequence” is referred to, I would de…”

“Q I have a couple of points to make. First, clause 4(5) states that a “registered medical practitioner who is unwilling” to go forward with the assisted dying request “must, if requested…refer…to another registered medical practitioner”. Are you happy with that clause? Dr Green: No, we are not, because we know from our…”

“Q You have already said some words about prognosis, which is causing some anxiety. First, are you happy with a six-month prognostic period? Secondly, the Bill says that death should “reasonably be expected within 6 months.” Is that in line with your thoughts on the matter? Professor Whitty: I think that is a reasonable…”

“Q What was the feeling before this came in among the general population and among doctors, and what has happened since the law has been in place? It has been in place since 2016, I understand. Could you give a brief description of whether there were anxieties before or whether most of the public were in support of it? …”

“Q Thank you for all giving up your time, with your very high level of palliative care expertise and experience. I am a practising GP, and GPs and district nurses do a lot of palliative care with a lot of advice from you people. I have also noticed that, even with the absolute best quality palliative care, some people h…”

“Q In some legal medical situations, you need to be five years post training before you can have a view. Is that something you would have in both of these practitioners, or is that not necessary? Dr Green: We did not take a view on that. We thought that training and experience was more important.”

“Q My other point follows on from the previous question and is about status. The GMC and the BMA have all specialties of doctors beneath them. Would it be appropriate to have, for example, both doctors as general practitioners, or should there be provision for different doctors as the second doctor? Dr Green: We have no…”

“As a co-sponsor, I have been so impressed by the way the Minister and the hon. Member for South Cotswolds (Dr Savage) have talked, negotiated and brought the Bill forward. She asks whether we are willing to act—yes, we are clearly willing to act. Will the Minister ensure that the dialogue continues?”

“I have a very short question. Can the hon. Gentleman state the number of onshore wind installations that were put together under the last Tory Government?”

“Will my hon. Friend give way?”