Isle of Man survey shows 3 in 4 doctors against euthanasia Bill

Almost three quarters of Manx doctors are against proposals to legalise euthanasia on the island, a survey has revealed.

An Isle of Man Medical Society (IOMMS) survey found nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of respondents said they would refuse to help terminally ill people kill themselves.

The IOMMS received 108 responses, equating to 61 per cent of its membership.

Bill

MHK Alex Allinson’s Assisted Dying Bill 2023, which is due to have its second reading on 31 October, would enable “certain persons” deemed to be terminally ill to “be lawfully provided with assistance to end their life”.

No vulnerable person would ever be safe or supported again

Those asking to die, the Bill states, must be over 18, not expected to live beyond six months, have mental capacity and have been resident on the Island for not less than a year.

Under these criteria, a person will be prescribed lethal drugs to self-administer or may “request an assisting health professional” to do so.

Overwhelming rejection

But according to the IOMMS, doctors have “overwhelmingly rejected” the plans, with the majority (62 per cent) seeing no need for a change in the law.

It found that more than half (54 per cent) felt the proposals “would have a negative effect on recruitment”.

“More worryingly”, the Society reported, more than a third (34 per cent) “indicate they might consider leaving the IOM if this legislation was passed”.

Only 3 per cent of respondents believed the euthanasia Bill would have a positive psychological impact on vulnerable residents, and doctors expressed “a certain scepticism” about some of the so-called safeguards.

Hippocratic oath

Of the 53 comments submitted in the survey, most spoke against removing end-of-life protections in the Isle of Man.

A right to die will become a duty to die. Murder will be able to hide in plain sight.

One respondent said: “No vulnerable person would ever be safe or supported again at the end of their life if the politicians vote for this Bill.”

Another submitted: “Doctors are not trained or good at detecting coercion. A right to die will become a duty to die. Murder will be able to hide in plain sight.”

And a third wrote: “The Hippocratic oath states ‘I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgement; I will abstain from harming or wronging any man by it’, I consider actively being involved in ending someone’s life as being harmful.”