Assisted dying on Welsh NHS a step closer as Senedd votes in favour
#Assisted dying#Senedd#NHS Wales#Terminally ill#House of Lords#Medical ethics#Palliative care#Legislative consent motion
📌 Key Takeaways
Senedd voted 28-23 with 2 abstentions to allow assisted dying on NHS in Wales
The consent motion gives Welsh government power to set rules for assisted dying implementation
All Conservative MSs opposed the motion while Labour and Plaid members were divided
The bill now moves to House of Lords where its fate remains uncertain
If passed, the next Welsh government would develop regulations for implementation
📖 Full Retelling
Welsh politicians paved the way for assisted dying services on the NHS after a key vote in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday night, with 28 members approving a legislative consent motion for a bill that would allow terminally ill people to obtain a medically assisted death across England and Wales, ensuring Wales would have the power to implement such services rather than leaving them only to private providers. The landmark vote, which saw First Minister Eluned Morgan and Health Secretary Jeremy Miles among those opposing, came during an emotional debate as the bill currently makes its way through the House of Lords. The legislation, if ultimately passed by UK Parliament, would legalize assisted dying throughout England and Wales, with the Senedd's consent vote specifically giving the Welsh government authority to set rules for how such services might be delivered within Wales' NHS. Had the Senedd rejected the motion, assisted dying services would likely only have been available through private providers in Wales, potentially creating a two-tier system based on ability to pay. Despite the vote's passage, concerns were raised about the process, with Plaid Cymru criticizing "the lack of thorough consideration of the constitutional implications" and noting that the Senedd has no direct say in whether assisted dying becomes legal, only in how it might be implemented.
🏷️ Themes
Medical Ethics, Legislative Process, Patient Rights
Terminal illness or end-stage disease is a disease that cannot be cured or adequately treated and typically results in the death of the patient. This term is usually used for progressive diseases such as cancer, rather than fatal injury. In popular use, it indicates a disease that will progress unti...
The Senedd ( SEN-edh; lit. 'parliament' or 'senate'), officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English and Senedd Cymru ([ˈsɛnɛð ˈkəmrɨ]) in Welsh, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, its role is to scrutinise the Welsh Government and legislate on de...
Assisted dying, assisted death, aid in dying, medical aid in dying, medical assistance in dying (MAiD) or help to die is the involvement of healthcare professionals in the provision of lethal drugs intended to end a patient’s life, subject to eligibility criteria and safeguards.
Assisted dying is a ...
NHS Wales (Welsh: GIG Cymru) is the publicly-funded healthcare system in Wales, and one of the four systems which make up the National Health Service (Welsh: Gwasanaeth Iechyd Gwladol) in the United Kingdom.
NHS Wales was formed as part of the public health system for England and Wales created by th...
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the lower house, the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. One of the oldest extant institutions in the world, its origins lie in the early 11th century and the emergence of bica...
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Original Source
Assisted dying on Welsh NHS a step closer as Senedd votes in favour 3 hours ago Share Save Adrian Browne and David Deans , BBC Wales politics Share Save Welsh politicians have paved the way for assisted dying services on the NHS after a key vote took place in the Senedd on Tuesday night. Following an emotional debate, Wales' parliament gave its consent to Westminster legislation that would allow terminally ill people to obtain a medically assisted death. The landmark bill, which is currently in the House of Lords, would legalise the practice across England and Wales if passed. The vote in Cardiff Bay was needed because the backbench law gives powers to the Welsh government to set rules for assisted dying services if it wishes to. First Minister Eluned Morgan and Health Secretary Jeremy Miles were among those who voted against. Assisted dying could be offered by non-NHS providers if Senedd rejects bill Had the Senedd rejected the vote, it could have meant that assisted dying services were only available in Wales from private providers, not within the NHS. MSs also backed a Plaid Cymru amendment criticising "the lack of thorough consideration of the constitutional implications of this bill for Wales". Several criticised the process - with the Senedd having no say in whether or not assisted dying is actually made legal - and voting while the Lords are still considering a large number of changes. Regardless of how Tuesday's legislative consent motion could have gone, if the law is passed in Westminster the practice would have been legal anyway, with Wales' parliament only left with a decision about how to implement it. A Plaid amendment calling for the issue to be given to the Senedd to fully control failed to pass, however. The next step is with the House of Lords, where there are fears among supporters that the legislation may be in danger because of the amount of amendments proposed there. If agreed by the UK Parliament the issue falls to the next Welsh government, f...
