Emotional debate on Scotland’s assisted dying bill ahead of historic vote

Could the NHS cope?published at 18:58 GMT

18:58 GMT

Ethics aside, some have questioned whether the NHS has the capacity and funds to facilitate assisted dying.

The costings submitted with the bill are based on estimates that there will be 25 assisted deaths in the first year, rising to up to 400 deaths after 20 years.

The documents assume that about a third of people who apply for assisted dying will not proceed.

It forecasts that the NHS will bear the brunt of the financial burden – £200,000 in the first year of the legislation, rising to as much as £342,973 after 20 years.

The main costs come from paying for clinicians, staff training and the drugs used to end life.

However, supporting documents to the bill claim the legislation would be “effectively cost neutral” due to savings from the reduced cost of care and less money being spent on accessing services such as Dignitas.

Yet the government has disputed that claim and said introducing assisted dying would require a “reprioritisation” of budget plans.

Assisted dying bills have been tabled before at Holyrood, but none have ever made it this far.

Whatever MSPs decide, it will be a historic moment for the Scottish Parliament.