The professionals say the law is ‘deeply flawed’ and there has been ‘inadequate’ oversight
10:55, 12 Jan 2026Updated 15:44, 12 Jan 2026
Assisted dying advocate, Kim Leadbeater MP, talks to the media in December as the Assisted Dying Bill starts its journey to the House of Lords(Image: Getty Images)
More than 250 of Wales’ leading medics have urged Senedd members not to back the proposed new assisted dying law when a vote takes place in Wales next week. In an open letter, the healthcare professionals, who include consultants across Wales, are urging politicians to block the Bill coming into effect in the NHS in Wales.
The letter says that there has been “inadequate” oversight of the bill, which will be debated and voted on on January 20, saying it “undermines devolved independence in healthcare and poses unacceptable risks to patient safety and equity”. They say the law is “deeply flawed”.
It says: “We have worked across the nation with vulnerable patients, and in under-resourced health and social care services. Those who are distressed as they face a terminal illness deserve better. unachieved. We know that care provision currently fails too many, but this Bill is not the answer.”
The medics argue that the Bill “fails to recognise the risks from mistaken diagnosis or misinformation. Accurate prognostication is impossible…. Patients will be eligible to access lethal drugs if they feel a burden or because of a lack of services. Coercion is often covert and difficult to detect, particularly when undue influence comes from family or from a person with authority.”
The decision as to whether assisted dying should be legalised is not a matter for Senedd members, but one for Westminster, but the vote by Senedd Members will have an impact on what happens in Wales.
In December, 2024, MPs first gave their backing to the proposal, which would allow people over the age of 18, who are expected to die within six months, to be given help to end their own life, subject to certain safeguards.
The bill is still being debated in the House of Lords. The vote in the Senedd is what’s called a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) and will look at how the new law would be used in Wales.
If the LCM fails, it could mean that only private firms will be able to deliver assisted dying services in Wales for a fee and Welsh residents could have to travel to England for assessment and provision.
Measures about Welsh-language access or Wales-specific clinical guidance which are being discussed would also be removed.
A Senedd committee published a report into the proposed law in October, 2025. That said: “There is the potential for the availability of assisted dying services to be different in England and Wales.
“Whilst we recognise this is a feature of the devolution settlement, we wish to highlight the significant implications of an asymmetrical cross-border approach, including uncertainty and inequity for patients, and operational challenges for health professionals.”
That report also referenced how there could be differences if assisted dying was available via the NHS in England but only the private sector in Wales.
A previous debate about assisted dying in Wales happened in October, 2024. The vote was non-binding, so didn’t change anything, and politicians were able to vote of their own accord, they weren’t bound by party lines. The vote did not pass.
Ahead of the latest vote, campaigners from both sides are stepping up pressure on politicians.
A letter has been signed by over 120 doctors, nurses, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical managers, radiographers, paramedics and physiologists.
They say they have concerns about the specifics of the law and the scrutiny it has face and there are cross-border implications which could be “significant”, with 13,300 Welsh residents registered with GPs in England and over 21,100 English residents registered with GPs in Wales.
Palliative care physician Dr Victoria Wheatley said: “Currently, people living in a quarter of Wales cannot access a hospice bed. This means they lack real choice. Funding a state-sponsored suicide service without first ensuring comprehensive palliative care is not the right approach for Wales.”
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Stuart Porter warned: “There are real concerns that this bill will undermine Wales’ Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Delivery Plan (2025–2028). Psychiatrists have repeatedly highlighted that the Mental Capacity Act was never designed for this purpose, and the proposed role for psychiatrists on the panel is not supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.”
Former Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dame Deidre Hine, said there were unintended consequences of changing the law and the risks to vulnerable groups such as homeless and disabled individuals.
The letter in full:
Dear Members of Senedd Cymru,
As health care professionals, we are deeply concerned about the Terminally III Adults (End of Life) Bill. We have worked across the nation with vulnerable patients and in under-resourced health and social care services. Those who are distressed as they face a terminal illness deserve better. The inequity in provision of specialist palliative care and hospice beds is well known and articulated in Marie Curie report ‘At Breaking Point – time to transform end of life care in Wales’ (March 2025). The 2022 Quality statement for palliative and end of life care in Wales is ambitious but unachieved. We know that care provision currently fails too many, but this Bill is not the answer.
The Bill’s definition of terminal illness fails to recognise the risks from mistaken diagnosis or misinformation. Accurate prognostica-tion is impossible. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005) was not designed to assess suicidality. A full psychosocial and mental health assessment should be required for a person who presents with suicidal ideation, whether they are terminally ill or not. This Bill’s proposals undermine the ‘The Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Delivery Plan for Wales 2025-2028’.
Patients will be eligible to access lethal drugs if they feel a burden or because of a lack of services. Coercion is often covert and difficult to detect, particularly when undue influence comes from family or from a person with authority.
The oversight within this Bill is inadequate. The panel does not need to see the patient. The MHRA does not need to regulate the drugs. The coroner does not need to review the death. There is no mechanism for independent scrutiny of the assisted dying service, for appeal against panel approval or redress for distressed family members.
Will the Senedd concur with UK Parliament providing patients the means to take their own lives when we know they will not get a hospice bed or meaningful counselling? In 2024, Senedd Cymru was strongly opposed to the ideology of the introduction of assisted dying in Wales.
The Bill contains sweeping Henry VIII powers, which have been extensively criticised by the Constitution Committee. These powers would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations directly impacting Wales and disrespects our devolved independence in healthcare.
We urge the Senedd to decline legislative consent connected to this deeply flawed Bill.
Yours sincerely,
Emma Abel, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Merthyr TydfilJenna Allsopp, Clinical Nurse Specialist , CardiffLori Amos, Nurse, CardiffDr Charlotte Ansell, Palliative Care Registrar, NewportDr Mohammed Anwar, Specialty Registrar, SwanseaSharon Ashcroft, Physiotherapist Specialising in Persistent Pain, DyfedDr Jane Ashwell, Consultant Anaesthetist (retired), CardiffDr Megumi Baba, Consultant Paediatric Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr Aram Baghomian, Consultant Gastroenterologist, North WalesGaenor Baghomian, Nurse (retired),Dr Russell Banner, Consultant Oncologist, CowbridgeDr Julie Barker, GP with Special Interest in Palliative & End of Life Care, WelshpoolDr Atanu Basu, Physician, AbergeleDr Victoria Bayliss, Specialty Doctor, Palliative Medicine, UskDr Craig Beaton, Intensive Care and Anaesthetic Consultant, DenbighAstrid Beenken, NHS Staff Nurse (retired), RhylDr Elen Berry, Respiratory Speciality Registrar, WalesDr Eve Blakemore, GP, ConwyKim Briggs, Hospice nurse, PembrokeshireAnne Bristow, Occupational Therapist, Colwyn BayDr Eleanor Brown, GP (retired), CardiffDr Karen Brown, Consultant Nephrologist/Acute Medicine, ClynderwenDr George Bugelli, Consultant Anaesthetist, PrestatynDr Tania Bugelli, Consultant Psychiatrist, North WalesDr Lara Burton, Foundation Doctor, CardiffAnthony Byrne, Palliative Medicine Consultant, CardiffDr Margred Capel, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, CardiffGillian Carter, Specialist Nurse, PembrokeshireJacqueline Casson, NHS Manager, North WalesKathryn Caughey, GP Specialty Trainee, CardiffDr Sanghamitra Chakrabarti, Consultant Physician, RhylDr Indrajit Chattopadhyay, Consultant, RhylDr Eley Chiu, Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry, CardiffDr Alistair Church, Consultant Neurologist, NewportProfessor Angus Clarke, Professor in Clinical Genetics , BarryLynsey Clarke, Respiratory Specialist Nurse, HawardenBronwen Clatworthy, Midwife, AberbeegCarol Clemence, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Colwyn BayDr Terry Collingwood, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, GwyneddMr Andrew Colwill, Physiotherapist, CardiffDr Alice Crabtree, Consultant Palliative medicine, CardiffDebra Cross, Staff nurse, SwanseaDr Bethan Cumins, GP Registrar, CardiffAngela Dacey, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, CardiffNicole Daniels, Occupational therapist, SwanseaDr Paul Das, Consultant Cardiologist, North WalesDr Glesni Davies, Consultant Geriatrician, North WalesDr Gwenllian Davies, Consultant in Palliative medicine, LlanelliDr Sarah Davies, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Colwyn BayDr Karl Davis, Consultant Geriatrician, CardiffDr Anthony Dew, Clinical Lead Intermediate Care, PembrokeshireDr Ravi Dissanayake, Consultant Physician, HaverfordwestJane Dixon, Clinical Nurse Specialist Palliative Care, GwentDr Klaudia Dobrzycka, Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine, HaverfordwestDr Simon Dobson, GP, RhylAlison Docherty, Palliative Care Occupational therapist, CardiffDr James Douglas, Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthetics, CardiffDr Selina D’Silva, Palliative Care Doctor, CardiffDr Tiffany D’Silva, Palliative Care Doctor, CaerdyddDr Ruth Dwyer, Anaesthetist (retired), SwanseaDr Sean Dwyer, Consultant Anaesthetist, SwanseaDr Sarah Dyer, Physician, WrexhamDr Marc Edwards, GP, BangorDr Rhodri Edwards, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, SwanseaMr Lee Edwards, Palliative Care Paramedic, CwmbranDr Sioned Enlli, GP, CaernarfonJanette Espley, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Merthyr TydfilDr Peter Evans, GP Senior Partner, BridgendDr Louisa Evans, GP, BridgendJoanne Evans, Occupational Therapist, Neath Port TalbotRebecca Evans, Specialist Nurse, SwanseaDr Helen Fielding, Consultant Palliative Medicine, CarmarthenshireProfessor Andrew Finlay, Professor of Dermatology (retired), CardiffDr Rhian Finn, Respiratory Consultant, SwanseaJess Fitzpatrick, Clinical Palliative Care Nurse, CardiffDr Harri Foster Davies, Surgical Resident Doctor, CardiffSue Fosterjohn, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (retired), WalesDr Gareth Francis, Acute Oncology Clinical Fellow, SwanseaDr Ria Fraser, Specialty Dr Palliative Medicine, PorthcawlLaura Ganesh, RGN Palliative Care, Merthyr tydfilJulia Gaskell, Occupational Therapist, Llandrindod WellsTerri Gazi, Lead Nurse Hospice (retired), CardiffDr Aoife Gleeson, Consultant, cardiffGeorgina Glover, Specialist palliative care paramedic, SwanseaBernadette Griffiths, Health care support worker, AberdareIthwen Angharad Griffiths, Nyrs, CaerfyrddinLynda Griffiths, Palliative Care Nurse, Mountain AshNon Griffiths, Physiotherapist, CardiffJoanne Gronow, Nurse, BarryLeanne Groves, Specialist Nurse, DenbighshireDr Pola Grzybowska, Palliative Medicine Consultant , CardiffDr Bibek Gupta, Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry, LlanelliDr Sarbari Gupta, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, LlantrisantDr Sarah Gwynne, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, SwanseaDr Andrew Haden, Consultant Geriatrician, SwanseaProfessor Richard Hain, Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine, All-WalesJulie Hamer, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Chronic Pain, NeathDr Susan Hamilton, Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, BangorDr Tim Hamilton, Palliative medicine consultant, CardiffPortia Hampton Wale, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, PembrokeshireDr Catherine Handley, GP, CardiffBethany Hannaford, Childrens Community Nurse, CardiffDr Elin Harding, Clinical Research Fellow in Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr Joan Hardway, GP, RhylDr Richard Hardway, GP, RhylDr Dewi Harris, Retired, HwlfforddDylan Harris, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, CardiffBelinda Hawkins, Radiographer, MoldDr Jo Hayes, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr William Henderson, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist, BridgendMeinir Henry, Health Visitor (retired), PontypriddDr Maria Herbert, Palliative Care Registrar, CardiffBeth Hewes, Palliative Care Paramedic, SwanseaKathryn Hill, Palliative Care Advanced Paramedic, CardiffDame Deirdre Hine, Former Chief Medical Officer , CardiffMr Daniel Holmes, Clinical Nurse Specialist, SwanseaProfessor Ben Hope-Gill, Consultant Respiratory Physician, CardiffDr Michael Hope-Gill, GP (retired), BridgendDr Gwenllian Hughes, GP and Palliative Care Doctor, CardiffDr Kathryn Hughes, GP Specialty Trainee, CardiffDr Menna Hughes, Specialty Dr Palliative Care, LlantrisantAnna Hughes, Pharmacist, WrexhamDr David Jackson, Consultant Radiologist, Dinas PowysMr Edwin Jesudason, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, BangorClaire John, Nursing Ward Sister/Manager, CardiffDr Faye Johnson, Palliative Medicine Consultant, SwanseaAlison Johnson, Neuroscience research nurse , CaerdyddLouise Johnson, Clinical nurse Specialist , CardiffDr Julie Jones, Associate Specialist, BodelwyddanDebra Jones, Nurse, AbergeleSarah Jones, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, specialist palliative care, Pembs.Dr Fady Joseph, Consultant Neurologist, NewportDr Sarah Kennedy, GP, LlantrisantDr Ranj Khaffaf, Consultant Pain Medicine, Merthyr TydfilDr Mutaher Khatib, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (retired), CardiffDr Hannah Khirwadkar, Consultant Neuroradiologist, SwanseaDr Lucy Kingdon, Resident Doctor, SwanseaDr Elizabeth Kubiak, Consultant Pathologist (Clinical Microbiology), NewportMr Nagappan Kumar, Consultant Hepatobiliary surgeon, CardiffDr Charlotte Lawthom, Consultant Neurologist, CardiffDr Ming Lee, GP, WrexhamMr Joshua Lee, Physiotherapist, SwanseaDr Nicky Leopold, Consultant Geriatrician, SwanseaDr Anna Lewis, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Cwm Taf MorgannwgDr Patricia Lewis, GP (retired), NarberthDr Sarah Lewis, Consultant Haematologist, AbergavennyRachel Lewis, Nurse, DenbighshireDr Gemma Lewis-Williams, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Ynys MonDr Karene Lim, Consultant Radiologist, CardiffDr Gokulkrishnan Lingesan, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, CeredigionDr David Lloyd, GP (retired), SwanseaLeigh Lowe, Palliative Care Nurse, SwanseaDr Iain Macgregor, GP, SwanseaDr Susan Macgregor, Specialty Doctor, SwanseaDr Maha Mansour, Consultant Paediatrician, SwanseaDr Carol Manwell, GP (retired), LlanybydderJohn Marston, Pharmacist, St AsaphDr Emma Mason, Consultant in Acute and Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr Nicholas Mason, Consultant Anaesthetist, CardiffDr Samah Massalha, Consultant Medical Oncologist, RhylSarah McClean, Student Physiotherapist, CardiffReena McClure, Physiotherapist, BridgendDr Sean McCormack, GP (retired), AbergeleElaine McGleish, Clinical Nurse Specialist, BridgendLouise McGrath, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CardiffLeanne Mcmillan, Welfare rights officer, CardiffDaisy McMullen, Student Physiotherapist, CardiffDr Andrew Mitchell, Staff Grade Psychiatrist (retired), Newtown PowysMr Jefkins Mndala, Nurse, Port TalbotDr Susan Morgan, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Swansea BayDr Alexandria Morgan, Consultant Anaesthetist, SwanseaDr Nicola Morgan, Consultant Paediatrician, CardiffGlenda Morris, Senior Nurse, SwanseaMargaret Moss, Nurse including Marie Curie nursing (retired), CardiffDr Sian Newman, GP, Castell Newydd EmlynRhian Newton, Pharmacist, SwanseaDr Lean Lik Ng, Anaesthetist Registrar, SwanseaKathrine O Connell, Clinical Nurse Specialist Deputy Team Leader, CardiffDr Brendan O’Reilly, GP, PontyclunAnnie Osterloff, RN Ward Manager Specialist Palliative Care, SwanseaDr Katharine Owen, GP, LlanelliDr Rebecca Owen, GP, AbergeleDr Rhian Owen, Macmillan Consultant in Palliative Medicine (retired), CardiffDr Delyth Parry, GP (retired), Bae ColwynDr Rosemary Patten, Consultant Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr Nikki Pease, Consultant Palliative Medicine, CardiffDr Kathryn Pinkham, GP , LlanelliDR Stuart Porter, Consultant Psychiatrist, PrestatynJaqueline Pottle, Occupational Therapist (retired), North WalesDr Simon Poulter, Consultant Anaesthetist, BridgendCarolyn Powell, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Soecialist, Merthyr TydfilDr Prakrit Prasad, Locum Senior House Officer, CardiffHelen Prentice, Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor (retired), ConwyDr Georgina Prestwich, Palliative Care Registrar, CardiffLynn Pritchard, Senior Physiotherapist (retired), AbergeleDr Annell Prosser, Palliative Medicine Specialist Registrar, SwanseaDr Christine Range, Consultant Anaesthetist, LlanelliProfessor Fiona Rawlinson, Consultant in Palliative Care, CardiffDr Sara Razvi, GP, CardiffDr Emily Rea, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Newport, WalesNicole Rees, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Maesteg, BridgendKealey Roberts, Assistant Practitioner, DenbigshireRachel Roberts, Palliative Occupational Therapist, CardiffDr Hannah Robinson, Palliative Medicine Consultant, CardiffDr Richard Robinson, GP, AberaeronGwen Robinson, Nurse, Colwyn BayDr Miriam Rodriguez Winter, GP, NewtownMich Rogers, Nurse, LlaDr Rebecca Ryvar, GP, GronantDr Sian Saha, Consultant, CardiffDr Marvic Sammut, Specialty Doctor Community Paediatrics, St AsaphDr Francis Sansbury, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, CardiffDr Ghislaine Sayer, Consultant Radiologist, BangorDr Julia Scaife, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, SwanseaAlexandria Scarlett, Respiratory Physiologist, RhyllDr Siwan Seaman, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, CaerdyddCatriona Seed, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, CardiffDr Alison Sherwood, GP (retired), LlanelliHolly Simmons, Occupational Therapist, SwanseaDr Victoria Suter-Jones, Consultant Geriatrician, CardiffDr Loretta Sweeney, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, CardiffLinda Tadgell, Respiratory Nurse, RhylMichelle Tamlyn, Nurse, TonypandyProfessor Mark Taubert, NHS Consultant and Clinical Director, CardiffDr Osama Taweel, Consultant Physician, Sketty, SwanseaMr David Taylor, Physician Associate, CardiffJulia Taylor, Palliative Care Nurse, CardiffDr Brian Tehan, Consultant Anaesthetist, BodelwyddanDr Elin Thomas, Consultant Stroke and Elderly Care Physician, SwanseaDr Owain Thomas, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, LlanelliAshleigh Thomas, Clinical Nurse Specialist, NewportDr Chris Thomas-Brown, Palliative Care Doctor, SwanseaMr Hugh Tregoning, Professional Liason Consultant, SwanseaMr Jonathan Samuel Varghese, Medical Student, CardiffDr Sarah Venn, Public Health Consultant / GP (retired), GwentSian Vincent, Nurse, BridgendDr Patricia Walters, GP (retired), WrexhamDr Lauren Warrington, Foundation Year 2 Doctor, CardiffMr Nicholas Watson, Advanced Nurse Practioner, ConwyEllen Watt, Nursing Student, CardiffHelen Way, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, CardiffJanet Weatherhead, Specialist Nurse, North WalesDr Hefina Weaver, GP, Port TalbotDr John Wells, Consultant Surgeon, CardiffDr Victoria Wheatley, Palliative Medicine Consultant, South WalesDr Sairan Whitaker, Consultant Dermatologist, SwanseaDr Alison Whyte, Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine, CardiffMargaret Wildman, Midwife (retired), CorwenDr Anthony Williams, Palliative Medicine Consultant, CardiffDr Peter Williams, Consultant General Psychiatrist (retired), CardifgLynnette Williams, Specialist Nurse in Palliative Care (retired), CardiffMichelle Williams, Healthcare Support Worker Palliative Care, AberdareSamantha Williams, Nurse, Colwyn BayDr Anna Wilson, Specialist Registrar, Colwyn BayMr John Wilson, Prison Caseworker (retired), DeesideAlice Wilson, Clinical Lead Neurological Physiotherapist, PembrokeshireJanette Wilson, Palliative Care Nurse (retired), DeesideDr Mark Wiltshire, Section 12 Doctor, CardiffDr Christopher Woolley, Consultant Paediatrician, CardiffDr Sarah Wright, Radiology Registrar, SwanseaDr Tatyana Yermakova, Consultant Neurophysiologist, Newport