This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
WQ.35/2024
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2024
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2024
Question
“Will the Minister provide a timeline for progressing the assisted dying legislation, detailing each stage of this work, advise how and when external stakeholders, States Members, Ministers and Departments will be involved; and state when assisted dying proposals will be brought before the Assembly for debate?”
Answer
A detailed Report and Proposition is currently being finalised, that will reflect feedback from the consultation. It will be lodged by the 22nd of March, for debate at the States Sitting on the 21st of May.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken to inform these detailed proposals:
• 2 phases of public consultationwhich included specific sessions with health and care professionals and disabled Islanders
• Key stakeholder engagement sessions – including with on-island HCS (Health and Community Services) professional leads, the Jersey Care Commission. UK professional regulatory and representative bodies (such as the General Medical Council and the British Medical Association)
• An Ethical review of proposals by a panel of experts in medical ethics and law
• Dialogue with practitioners from other jurisdictions regarding legislation and practice
• 4 States Members briefings
My predecessor had proposed a 12-week lodging period, but I have decided to implement a 9-week lodging period. This will still allow time for States Members to consider the proposals, but also recognises the clear public interest in proceeding to debate.
During the lodging period there will be:
• targeted engagement with disabled Islanders (building on previous engagement)
• two information sessions for the public
• two information sessions for health and care professionals
• three information sessions for States Members and a weekly ‘drop in’ session, enabling Members to discuss the proposals in depth on a 1-to-1 or small group basis
In the event the Assembly adopts the proposition, work will commence of the development of a draft assisted dying law. Given the detail and complexity of the proposals, it is anticipated that the law drafting process will take 12-18 months, allowing for a debate on the draft law before the end of 2025. There would then be approximately an 18-month implementation phase which would include;
• Set-up of Jersey Assisted Dying Service
• Recruitment and training of staff
• Development of all regulatory and oversight mechanisms including service standards
This would see the law coming into effect in Spring 2027.