Controversy over Royal College of GPs ‘neutral’ stance on Assisted Suicide

The number of GPs supporting the introduction of Assisted Suicide has fallen, despite the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) official new position being one of neutrality.

The RCGP has been opposed to Assisted Suicide since 2005, but this week dropped its stance after a consultation. It had been the last UK medical royal college to maintain its opposition, with others such as the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons having already made the change.

However, the results appear to be somewhat misleading, as GPs have generally become less likely to support Assisted Suicide than before.

In 2019, when members were last surveyed, 41.1% of GPs supported the introduction of legislation; that has now fallen sharply to 33.7%. The number of those opposing Assisted Suicide rose slightly to 47.5%, from 46%. Only 13.6% supported the idea of a neutral position.

In response, more than 260 GPs co-signed a letter to The Times expressing their dismay at the adoption of a neutral position.

“We believe assisted dying undermines public understanding of and access to palliative care, puts vulnerable populations at risk of self-coercion or abuse, and drives societal biases that devalue certain lives. We find assisted suicide incompatible with our values as doctors: to promote and preserve life, and to be worthy of our patients’ trust. We will not be involved in its provision and remain committed to easing suffering at the end of life through proactive, compassionate and holistic palliative care. We regret the RCGP’s stance and find it grossly misrepresentative of GPs’ attitudes to assisted dying.”

More than 8000 GPs completed the survey, which this time did not seek to gain responses to other related questions, such as whether they would be involved in the prescription of lethal drugs.