Member

I begin with the proposed new process, dealing first with our observations about Amendment 120. Applications to the Family Division of the High Court would need to be accompanied by statements from two medical professionals. As drafted, both medical professionals must have at least three years’ experience in the diagnosis of and prognosis for the terminal illness from which the applicant suffers, and one of them must be the practitioner with whom the applicant has been registered for the provision of medical care for at least six months. The Government are of the view that, in the absence of a discretion, this may have the effect of preventing some people getting assistance if, for example, they have a very rare illness and the pool of willing specialists is small, or if they have comorbidities and are under the care of multiple specialists. The Government want the Committee to note that this might be open to challenge by an individual who wishes to be given assistance but is prevented when others are able to get it solely because they have a more common or more straightforward condition.