UK’s assisted dying law triggers £35.5 million training cost in first year

Following the UK parliament’s historic approval of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, the NHS faces significant financial challenges, including a projected £35.5 million training cost in year one and up to £500 million over a decade. This report explores the bill’s impact on healthcare funding, public support, and the ongoing debate over safeguards for vulnerable patients.

Sources:
Al JazeeraAP NewsTelegraph+2
Updated 1h ago
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Sources: AP NewsAl JazeeraTelegraph+2
The United Kingdom’s parliament has passed the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales. The bill, approved by a narrow margin of 314 to 291 votes in the House of Commons, allows adults over 18 with less than six months to live to request an assisted death.

The legislation marks a significant social change, with proponents like Labour MP Kim Leadbeater emphasizing it offers a "compassionate and safe choice" for those suffering. A YouGov poll found 73 percent of adults support the change.

However, the bill raises concerns about the financial and ethical implications. The NHS will be responsible for carrying out assisted dying procedures, with training costs alone estimated at £35.5 million in the first year if all staff receive the highest level of training. Over ten years, the NHS could face costs up to £429 million, as the number of assisted deaths is projected to rise from 647 in year one to over 4,500 by 2038.

Opponents warn of risks to vulnerable groups, including disabled and elderly people, who might feel pressured to end their lives. Health Secretary has cautioned that "there isn’t money allocated to set up the service in the Bill", raising concerns about NHS funding cuts.

Supporters argue the bill includes strong safeguards, with Leadbeater stating, "You do not have to do it... we've got an extremely well safeguarded piece of legislation here." Prominent advocates like Dame Esther Rantzen highlight the bill’s potential to protect dignity at the end of life.

The bill now proceeds to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, continuing the debate over one of the UK’s most profound social policy changes in decades.
Sources: Telegraph
The UK’s new assisted dying law for terminally ill adults triggers an estimated £35.5 million training cost in its first year, with NHS expenses potentially reaching £429 million over a decade. The bill, passed by MPs 314-291, aims to offer compassionate end-of-life choices but raises concerns over vulnerable groups and funding.
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Key Facts
  • The UK parliament has voted 314 to 291 in favour of a bill legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults, marking the country's biggest social change in a generation.Al JazeeraAP NewsBbc+1
  • Labour MP Kim Leadbeater proposed the bill, describing it as offering a compassionate and safe choice for terminally ill people.Al JazeeraBbcNews
  • A YouGov poll of 2,003 adults found that 73% of the public support changing assisted dying laws.Al Jazeera
  • The bill allows terminally ill adults over 18 in England and Wales with less than six months to live to apply for assisted death.AP News
  • Opponents raised concerns that vulnerable groups like disabled and older people could be coerced into assisted death to save money or relieve family burden.AP NewsNews
  • NHS Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned the bill could cost the NHS up to £500 million and may lead to NHS service cuts to cover expenses.Telegraph
  • Estimates project up to 28,317 assisted deaths and £429 million NHS costs over 10 years, rising from 647 deaths in year one to over 4,500 by 2038.Telegraph
  • Training costs for the assisted dying service could reach £35.5 million in the first year if all staff receive the highest level of training with no opt-outs.Telegraph
  • Supporters like broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen say the bill will protect millions of terminally ill patients and families from suffering and loss of dignity.Bbc
  • Critics, including Conservative MP Danny Kruger, argue that support for the bill is declining and call for stronger safeguards.Bbc
The United Kingdom’s parliament has voted in favour of a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people, paving the way for the country’s biggest social change in a generation.
Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Members of Parliament voted 314-291 to back the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill following an impassioned debate.
AP News
AP News
Training staff is set to be the biggest cost – especially as the service is created. This could cost up to £35.5 million in the first year if all involved got the highest level of training available with no one opting out.
Telegraph
Telegraph
In an historic vote, MPs have approved a bill which would pave the way for huge social change by giving terminally ill adults in England and Wales the right to end their own lives.
Bbc
Bbc
That's according to Dr Gordon MacDonald, the chief executive of Care not Killing, who singled out his main concern with the bill. "Our biggest concern is for people who are vulnerable, who will feel under pressure to end their lives," he told our.
News
News
Key Stats at a Glance
Parliamentary vote in favour
314
Parliamentary vote against
291
Public support for changing assisted dying laws
73 percent
Al Jazeera
Projected assisted deaths over 10 years
28317
Projected NHS cost over 10 years
£429 million
Telegraph
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