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Assisted Dying Bill Status — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardLegal & Ethical FrameworkAssisted Dying Bill StatusSCE Palliative Medicine

A capacitous patient with motor neurone disease asks the team to stop his non-invasive ventilation, understanding that death may follow. He separately asks a doctor to prescribe medication intended to enable him to end his life. Which statement accurately distinguishes these requests under current law in England and Wales?

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Correct answer: D — Respect a valid informed refusal of ventilation, but prescribing intentionally to assist suicide remains unlawful

A capacitous adult may refuse a treatment, including life-sustaining treatment, after an informed decision; respecting that refusal is not assisted suicide. Section 2 of the Suicide Act separately criminalises an intentional act capable of encouraging or assisting another person’s suicide. Capacity, terminal illness and self-administration do not by themselves legalise intentional assistance.

Reference: Suicide Act 1961, section 2. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1961/60/section/2 NHS: Advance decision to refuse treatment. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/end-of-life-care/planning-ahead/advance-decision-to-refuse-treatment/