McArthur: Unfair to suggest finances will influence medics on assisted dying

It is “unfair and unhelpful” to suggest medics would be influenced by making financial savings when considering assisted dying cases, the MSP attempting to change the law has said.

Liam McArthur said he expects his Bill to be broadly cost neutral, saying a “relatively small” cohort of between 50 to 100 people a year would have medically assisted deaths.

On Tuesday, MSPs on Holyrood’s Finance Committee scrutinised the financial aspects of his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

Convener Kenneth Gibson referred to concerns from Cerebral Palsy Scotland and groups who oppose the Bill like Care Not Killing, who said cost savings may motivate decisions around assisted dying.

Mr McArthur said: “I think ascribing motives to medical professionals in the way that’s been suggested there by Care Not Killing is unfair and I think it’s unhelpful in relation to the debate we need to have around these issues.

“I acknowledge that savings will be made in terms of treatment not required and not delivered that would otherwise have been the case.

“But it’s not the motivation or objective of the Bill.”

He also defended his cost estimates for the Bill, which he put at around £300,000 in the first year.

The Scottish Government has warned the ultimate costs could be “substantially higher” than this.

Mr McArthur’s Member’s Bill, which would allow certain terminally ill adults to request assistance to end their lives, is currently at the first of the Scottish Parliament’s three-stage process before it can become law.

Just as with Kim Leadbeater’s Bill at Westminster, MSPs will have a free vote on the issue and there have already been divisions which cut across party lines.

The Scottish Parliament is expected to vote on the general principles of the Bill in late spring or early summer next year.

Under the proposed law, those requesting an assisted death in Scotland must have an “advanced and progressive” terminal condition and would need the approval of two doctors.