Royal College of Physicians Adopts Neutral Position on Medical Aid in Dying
By Rebecca Thoman M.D., Doctors for Dignity Program Manager, Compassion & Choices
April 5, 2019
Doctors for DignityDoctors4Dignity
Two weeks ago, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), a 500-year old professional association of medical specialists in the United Kingdom dropped it opposition to physician-assisted dying (i.e., medical aid in dying) and adopted a neutral stance after a survey of its members indicated no clear majority opinion.
The survey included a question about whether RCP should adopt a supportive, neutral or opposition policy position about changing the law to allow this end-of-life care option.
A combined 57 percent of members felt RCP should support (32%) or adopt a neutral position (25%) about changing the law, while 43 percent felt RCP should oppose changing the law, while. Since there was no clear majority for any of the positions, the RCP opted for adopting a neutral position.
For more information, click on the links below:
Assisted Dying: Briefing from the RCP Committee on Ethics in Medicine
