Assisted dying on Isle of Man overcomes latest hurdle moving closer to legalisation

  • ITV Granada Reports Isle of Man reporter Joshua Stokes gave the latest following the historic vote

Assisted dying could become an option for those living on the Isle of Man as soon as 2027 after a historic bill passed its latest hurdle.

Members of the Island's House of Keys voted 16 to eight to pass the bill on its third reading, moving it on to the Legislative Council.

If it continues its trajectory, it could receive Royal Assent as soon as 2025, followed by consideration of how the legislation will be implemented, with assisted dying potentially available to terminally ill Manx residents from 2027.

The Bill proposes that lawful assisted dying should be available as a choice for residents on the island who are terminally ill, and mentally competent, subject to strict safeguards.

It follows months of debate and scrutiny by the House of Keys where topics including the wording of the law, the medication and parameters of use were discussed.

But opponents say it is "unsafe" and the first step towards the Isle of Man becoming known as "death island".

Members of the House of Keys (MHK) voted to limit the eligibility of assisted dying to those who have been given a prognosis of 12 months or less left to live and those who have been a resident of the Isle of Man for a minimum of five years.

Debates have also decided those wishing to use the law would have to take life-ending medications themselves rather than being administered by a doctor.

Grieving mum says son wanted assisted death instead of 'horrific' cancer pain
Campaigners against the assisted dying bill include a Christian faith group, and members of the Isle of Man Medical Society. Credit: ITV Granada Reports

What comes next?

After MHKs voted for the bill during its third reading, it is now classed as having been "passed by the Keys". The equivalent to being passed by the House of Commons in the UK.

The proposer of the bill, Dr Allison, now has to identify a Member of the Legislative Council, or LegCo, (the upper chamber of the Isle of Man parliament) to continue the bill.

If a person can be found, the earliest the bill will be discussed in LegCo would be the end of October.

Those against the Assisted Dying Bill say it could have a profound impact on medical services on the Island.

Some doctors on the Island fear the consequences of the Bill's implementation.

Dr Graham McCall, from Manx Duty of Care, said: "Our palliative care doctors are against it, they have experience of looking after people who are dying. Elderly care medicine doctors who look after people who are dying are against it.

"Very, very few doctors on the Isle of Man are in favour of this, we're really worried that this will become known as death island, we'll become known as death doctors and recruitment will get difficult and patient care will suffer."

A number of politicians also said they believe more public consultation should have taken place, a proposed referendum on the Bill was also voted down earlier in the year.