Prof. Aneez Esmail

Aneez is a General Practitioner and Professor of General Practice at the University of Manchester. He was the Medical Advisor to the Shipman Inquiry between 2000-2006 and worked closely with the High Court Judge Dame Janet Smith in formulating proposals for transforming many aspects of medical regulation, death certification and the use of controlled drugs. His research interests are focused on patient safety and discrimination in medicine.

Aneez changed his views on assisted dying, mainly based on his own clinical experience as a general practitioner looking after patients who are terminally ill. Not only does he support the principle of patients having greater autonomy over their death, but he has also seen the dangers of doctors having a monopoly on power without appropriate safeguards in place. The crimes of Harold Shipman exemplified what can happen when the power of a doctor goes unchecked, and Aneez firmly believes that a transparent assisted dying law with upfront safeguards would provide better protections for patients.