News : 09 May 2006

RCP cannot support legal change on assisted dying - survey results

The results of a survey of Fellows and Collegiate Members of the Royal College of Physicians shows that the College cannot support legal change on assisted dying.

Respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement:

(We) believe that with improvements in palliative care, good clinical care can be provided within existing legislation and that patients can die with dignity. A change in legislation is not needed.

Free text comment was also invited.

5,111 responses were received. In answer to the question, 1,327 (26.0%) stated that they believe a change in the law is needed and 3,741 (73.2%) that a change in the law is not needed.  43 (0.8%) gave no answer but provided comment.  Responses against change were highest in the specialty of palliative medicine (95.4% of 281 responses) but no specialty group submitting more than 50 returns fell below 65% in opposing a change in the law.  Specialty representation appeared broadly representative of practising physicians.

There were no significant differences between Fellows and Members; between physicians of different positions/grades; between on line and paper returns; or between early (up to 48 hours) and final returns.  In all cases, the proportion opposing legal change exceeded 70%.

Early, albeit incomplete, analysis of the free text section of the consultation identified a small (under 5%) proportion of respondents alleging bias in the first question against legal change.  All involved in organising the consultation were genuinely concerned to discover the views of Fellows & Members; and to demonstrate the integrity of the process.  A validation questionnaire was therefore sent by email.  The question was proposed by the sponsor of the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, Lord Joffe, who suggested that this would produce a ‘very different' response. The question asked was:

Do you believe that a change in legislation is necessary for the small number of terminally ill patients for whom palliative care does not meet their needs?

The validation to the main consultation was open for 48 hours.

2,144 responses were received, with the analysis based on 2,059 responses where the RCP Code or GMC number was given.  578 (28.1%) believed that a change in legislation is necessary and 1,469 (71.3%) that a change in legislation is not necessary.  There was no answer in 12 (0.6%).

The figure of 71.3% against legal change in the validation exercise is close to the 73.2% found in the first question of the main consultation.

Council of the College notes that the preliminary analysis of the free text comment supports the responses to the first question; and that the validation questionnaire has produced an almost identical proportion of respondents (71.3% compared to 73.2%) opposed to legal change.  In view of the strong majority view in response to part 1, Council believes that a reasonable conclusion of the overall opinion of its Fellowship and Collegiate Membership may be drawn.

In the light of the views expressed, Council of the Royal College of Physicians concurs with the Royal College of General Practitioners that the College cannot support legal change at the present time.

Nevertheless, the College acknowledges:

  • that a significant minority of its Fellowship and Collegiate Membership support a change in the law;
  • that there remain many shortcomings in the provision of palliative care;
  • that the ethical and juridical issues are complex and strongly felt;
  • and that physicians of all shades of opinion in the current debate share a commitment to the improvement of care at the end of life.

As previously stated, irrespective of whether the present Bill is enacted or not, it should be seen as a further signal to campaign for better care for dying patients.  This should include an extension of palliative care services and more discussion of end of life issues in the face of changing values, ethnic diversity and technological advance. The Royal College of Physicians remains committed to making its contribution as a professional body and by encouraging its Fellows and Members in their diversity of views to play an informed role in continuing debate.

For the full paper explaining the background and results, see link below 

 

Journalists: For further information on any story, please contact Linda Cuthbertson, Press and PR Manager on 020 7935 1174 ext.254 or e-mail Linda.Cuthbertson@rcplondon.ac.uk.

 

This page last updated on May 31, 2005