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Lord Falconer of Thoroton (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 23 January 2026

Debate

Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Contribution

If they failed medically to do their job, they might be liable to a civil suit, but it is impossible to answer that question without specific facts. This Bill is placing on doctors and panels the duty to make sure that the consent to assisted dying is properly informed. If a doctor fails in that respect, you might have a situation where, for example, the thing should not have been done in the first place or was done inadequately. That might give rise to a civil suit but it does not really go to the question of whether we need to put a heavier burden, in terms of giving information, in the Bill; with respect, I think that the burden in the Bill is sufficient.

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