On Monday (23/06), the below resolution passed in full at 2025 Annual Representative Meeting in Liverpool. 

Motion by GATESHEAD DIVISION: That this meeting notes the proposed 
changes to the assisted dying bill and:-

i) affirms the right of all healthcare professionals to decline involvement in 
assisted dying;

ii) believes that assisted dying must never be seen as a cheaper alternative to 
high-quality state-funded public services, and that funding for assisted dying is 
matched by additional funding for palliative care, mental health, and social care 
services;

iii) demands that the cost of any proposed assisted dying service is funded by 
new money not with NHS and social care funding;

iv) demands that safeguards are implemented to avoid the risk of coercive 
control when patients consider assisted dying;

v) believes that any patient requesting assisted dying should be encouraged to 
attend face-to-face reviews by an independent palliative care doctor to ensure 
that the patient has received the best quality outcomes prior to 
commencement of the assisted dying pathway.

Responding, BMA medical ethics committee chair Dr Andrew Green said: “While the BMA is neutral on the issue of assisted dying – that is whether the law should change or not – we have been engaging with legislation to ensure doctors are represented on a number of key issues.

“This motion reaffirms, and strengthens, a number of the BMA’s existing positions, including the right for doctors to decline to participate for any reason should the law change, and the need for any assisted dying service to be funded through new money and not at the expense of other parts of health and social care.

“We have been clear that any future assisted dying provision should be offered via a separate service that doctors must opt in to, and not part of any doctor’s existing regular work. This service must come with additional funding, alongside further investment in palliative care, which we know has for too long been under-resourced, leading to huge variations in availability across the country.

“In discussions around Kim Leadbeater’s Bill in England and Wales, which has now passed its final stages in the Commons, we have strongly opposed moves to ban doctors from raising the subject of assisted dying with patients, but have been clear that this must be part of a discussion around all options available. This motion expands on this, ensuring that patients who may be considering assisted dying are able to access information about all possible treatment and routes available to them.”

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.