A Wheely Big Adventure

The Isle of Man has become the first part of the British Isles to approve an assisted dying bill.

The Bill was introduced by Dr Alex Allinson, a GP and elected member of the lower house on the Island, the House of Keys. He has said that it is a privilege to be able to bring the Bill forward. Members of the Legislative Council approved a final reading of the Bill today, Tuesday 25^th March 2025.

Safeguards

The Assisted Dying Bill 2023 offers people the right to choose when to end their life, with strict safeguards.

The option will only be available to those who are over 18 years old and who have lived on the Isle of Man for at least 5 years.

They must also be terminally ill and ‘reasonably expected’ to die within 12 months. In addition, the person must have legal capacity to make the decision to end their life and that must be verified by two doctors.

Timeline

The Bill will now be put forward for royal assent, after which it becomes law. This means it could be in force as soon as this year.

It is proposed that an ‘assisted dying service’ will be set up, allowing people to choose an assisted death, but this will not be in place until 2027.

Around the UK

Both Jersey and Scotland are due to discuss the issue in the next few months.

The English parliament is currently discussing Kim Leadbeater’s Bill at the committee stage, examining and scrutinising the bill in detail.