SCOTLAND’S former health secretary is backing proposals to legalise assisted suicide.
Jeane Freeman, who stood down as an MSP at the Holyrood election in May, said it is something she would want herself, if necessary.
Holyrood is currently consulting on a proposal by LibDem MSP Liam McArthur for an Assisted Dying Bill.
She told the Sunday Times: “The bottom line for me is I would want that for myself and for my loved ones if that’s what they wanted and if that’s how I feel, I can’t justify denying it to someone else.
“The huge drive in healthcare is for person-centred care and for patients to have as much information as possible about the condition or disease they’re suffering from and about what all the options are so their choice can be an informed one.”
She added: “That can be agreeing to have surgery or medication or other treatment so you’re simply carrying that principle on while making sure there are caveats and precautions to ensure that choice isn’t open to abuse.”
READ MORE: Professionals voice concerns over Scotland’s proposed new assisted dying bill
Commenting on the BBC's report on Twitter, Alex Neil said he "totally agrees" with Freeman's stance.
Neil's comments mean that two of Scotland's former health secretaries have now spoken out in favour of the proposed bill.
The bill seeks to legalise assisted dying as a choice for adults who are both terminally ill and mentally competent.
Two doctors would have to independently confirm a person is terminally ill before assisted suicide can be considered, as well as establishing they have the mental capacity to make such a request and have not been coerced.
Doctors would also need to ensure the person has been fully informed of options for palliative and hospice care.
The person making the request would have to sign a written declaration, which would be followed by a “period of reflection”.
They would then have to be able to administer the life ending medication by themselves – with the plans making clear it will continue to be a criminal offence to end someone else’s life directly.
All assisted deaths would also be recorded and reported for safety, monitoring and research purposes Freeman added: “I don’t believe this legislation undermines the need for good palliative care but nor do I think good palliative care removes the need for this legislation.”
Holyrood has twice voted down attempts to introduce similar legislation, including by independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who introduced the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill in 2011 but died from Parkinson’s disease in 2014 before the Bill could be voted on by the whole chamber, with Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie taking it up.
The consultation on the current Bill runs until December 22.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf was asked about Freeman's comments on the Sunday Show.
He said: “I’m not persuaded by the proposals, particularly because I’m not sure that we have stringent safeguards in place.
“We should be careful, that isn’t a government view. Issues such as this … these are maters of conscience and therefore it’s for each individual minister or indeed member of the Scottish Parliament to make their views known.”
Yousaf, who said he remains “open minded” and would like to meet with McArthur to discuss the proposals in detail, added: “I don’t have anything other than the upmost sympathy for those who are pushing for this change in the law.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel