BGS warns that older people have been overlooked in the Assisted Dying Bill debate

The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) urges MPs to consider the needs of older people ahead of the second report stage debate in the House of Commons and the pivotal third reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill expected on 20 June.
 
The BGS is profoundly concerned by the exclusion of those specialising in older people’s healthcare in the drafting of the assisted dying bill.
Almost 70% of deaths in the UK are in those over the age of 75. Older people will face the greatest impact from this bill, but their unique needs were not properly considered and are not adequately addressed. The majority of assisted deaths in countries where it is legalised are in people over the age of 65. In Canada, 85% of those choosing an assisted death are over 65, and in the Netherlands, 90% of assisted deaths are in those over the age of 60. The needs of older people dying of terminal illnesses are considerably different to those dying at a younger age. Most older people will have multiple health conditions, requiring the expertise of healthcare professionals specialising in older people, such as geriatricians. The current provisions in the bill do not support the complex needs of older people with multiple health conditions and frailty.
 
The BGS has published a position statement highlighting the following key concerns with the TIA Bill, which it urges MPs to consider ahead of the next Report Stage debate and Third Reading:
 
  1. Older people and those specialising in older people’s healthcare would be significantly affected by the TIA Bill, but have been excluded from the debate
  2. There are inadequate safeguards to protect older people from harm
  3. The bill does not sufficiently consider the role of healthcare professions other than doctors
  4. The unequal and inadequate provision of palliative and end of life care in the UK is not recognised within the bill
  5. Assisted dying should be a separate service to palliative and end of life care
  6. It is difficult to predict when an older person may die
For further details on our key concerns, please read our full position statement.
 
Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, President of the BGS, said:
 
The BGS is dismayed by the lack of consideration for older people within the TIA Bill, especially as this is the population group most likely to be affected.
 
We have argued throughout the process of this Bill being debated that its drafting fails to acknowledge the reality that the majority of people who come to the end of life each year are older people with multiple conditions. They require a holistic person-centred assessment of needs, and expertise of those specialising in geriatric medicine. It is deeply concerning that the Bill does not acknowledge the need for such an assessment, which in certain cases may identify treatable needs that would otherwise result in an assisted death.
 
Everyone should have access to high quality care until the end of their life, including palliative and end of life care when they need it. Sadly, this is not the case for many older people across the UK, which may leave them feeling pressured into choosing an assisted death.
 
Older people are our loved ones, our parents, aunts, uncles, and ultimately, ourselves. Lack of adequate safeguards against coercion, lack of skilled diagnosis of treatable needs or lack of access to proper end of life care should not be acceptable to anyone as reasons for someone choosing an assisted death, regardless of their position on the principle of assisted dying.”