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Lord Sandhurst (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 27 February 2026

Debate

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Contribution

My Lords, I shall try not to repeat what my noble friends Lord Moylan and Lady Fraser said. My amendment asks the Secretary of State to make regulations providing for “the circumstances in which a fee is payable in relation to any of the steps set out at sections 15 to 18”. I remind noble Lords that those are: replacing the co-ordinating or independent doctor, references to the panel, determination by the panel and reconsideration by the commissioner. My reading is that it is not clear what is to happen. The Commons sponsor has said that the service should be free at the point of use as regards the NHS. That is laid down by Clause 41(5), but it is not clear whether that refers to the panel’s activities and ancillary services relating to that. It is possible that, given the strain on public services caused by the Bill, fees will be needed to off-set some of the costs. We need to be clear about this. The way forward is for the Secretary of State to make regulations explaining what is to be charged for, when and on what basis.

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