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NEW ANALYSIS explores how approaches to #AssistedDying vary internationally. The Nuffield Trust holds a neutral position on the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK. Our analysis reviews the evidence for jurisdictions where it has been implemented, to help inform debate. 🧵1/9 buff.ly/CTLXDjs

nuffieldtrust.org.ukDiverging paths: How other countries have designed and implemented assisted dyingAs the assisted dying Bill returns to the House of Commons next week, this in-depth analysis offers evidence from a wide range of contexts to further inform the debate. What can the UK learn from…

We reviewed arrangements across 15 jurisdictions in nine countries where assisted dying has been implemented. The jurisdictions span Europe, North America, and Oceania; from recent adopters such as Spain and several Australian states, to early adopters like the Netherlands and Switzerland. 2/9

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All jurisdictions we reviewed have processes and frameworks in place to assess eligibility and ensure consent. And in almost all systems, assisted dying is publicly funded and integrated into the health system. 3/9

The proportion of deaths that are assisted has increased over time in most countries, although these remain a small percentage of total deaths. Canada, Belgium and the Netherlands have expanded eligibility, but increases are seen regardless of criteria, maybe due to shifting awareness or norms. 4/9

Some jurisdictions restrict assisted dying to people with terminal conditions where death is foreseeable within a set timeframe. Requirements for consent vary as to whether a request must be written or oral, whether a witness is required, and whether a third clinical assessment is needed. 5/9

Jurisdictions differ in how they monitor and approve assisted dying requests. Some countries (Australia, New Zealand and Spain) require prior approval by an independent body before medication can be administered, while other countries (e.g. the Netherlands) only review cases on a post-hoc basis. 6/9