If implemented, there would be no going back.

Assisted dying ‘will have a seismic effect on medical care and societal values’, warns Dr John Stewart-Jones.

The legislation is due to be debated in January, and this week John presented a written submission to the panel raising issues about the possible coercion of vulnerable islanders, which he contended would be “impossible to completely exclude” despite the proposed mandatory training of assessing doctors.

In addition he criticised the waiver provision within the draft law that allows eligible individuals to decide in advance that if the lose decision-making capacity after their request for an assisted death has been approved, but before they are due to confirm their consent, the assisted death can still take place.

John drew upon his extensive experience of years as a doctor and what he had witnessed with people experiencing fluctuating capacity.

He raised concerns about coercion and pointed out that the UK law is not entertaining the notion of a waiver because of the problematic and unsafe nature of it under current capacity legislation.

There remain financial implications of implementing the service that would be delivered by Health and Care Jersey at a time when there are already huge budgetary pressures being faced by the department.

In summing up, John argued that there are ‘so many complications’ and ‘if implemented then there will be no going back’.

We oppose Assisted dying and urge States Members to reconsider their stance and to vote against the law.