Leading local GP brings together Jersey clinicians supportive of assisted dying as States Assembly prepares to debate historic proposals for law change
Dr Nigel Minihane – a local GP for more than 30 years and a director and former head of the island’s Primary Care Body – is bringing together Jersey healthcare professionals supportive of assisted dying reform, as the States Assembly prepares to debate proposals for law change next month.
Dr Minihane is today launching a local network of healthcare professionals who are in favour of allowing terminally ill patients true choice at the end of life, enabling clinicians from a range of specialisms/disciplines to come together, hear evidence and experience from around the world, and offer expertise to States Members and the Government over the coming weeks and months.
The group is the Jersey branch of Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying, a network of 3,000 healthcare professionals across the British Isles who back the introduction of assisted dying laws. The launch comes as detailed proposals for assisted dying in Jersey were announced on 22nd March 2024 and will be debated by States Members on the 21st May, after a nine week lodging period.
States Assembly members voted by a landslide in 2021 to support the principle of legalising assisted dying – the first British Isles parliament to do so. This followed a citizen’s jury on the topic which overwhelmingly recommended legalisation. Amendments to the proposition can be tabled over the following weeks. If the proposition is adopted following the debate next month, draft legislation will then be developed for debate by the end of 2025.
Dr Minihane said:
“Like the majority of islanders, I am convinced the law must change to allow our terminally ill citizens the choice to die on their own terms, alongside the very best end-of-life care. Many healthcare professionals share this view and are gravely concerned about the dangers of the current law; a law that forces people to suffer against their wishes. We believe that it is time for Jersey to do the right thing and introduce a law that gives dying people the choice, compassion and protection they are sorely lacking at the moment.
“This new group will bring clinicians together to help ensure that Jersey passes a law that works for dying people, their families and health and care professionals. We will consider our potential role in legislation and hope to support States Members as they consider the practical implications of law change.
Dr Minihane attended the first Government briefing for healthcare professionals on the assisted dying proposals on Wednesday night. “It has been encouraging to meet more healthcare professionals in favour of law change and engage in practical discussion with colleagues,” he says. Health and care professionals can book a place at these events (the next one is on 1st May) and find out more details by emailing assisteddying@gov.je.
Nigel added: “I would encourage anyone who is keen to be involved in our group to attend so that you can meet likeminded professionals and help shape the future of end of life in Jersey.”
Dr Nigel Minihane has been a prominent campaigner for assisted dying reform for some years, setting up the Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group (who work closely with Dignity in Dying) alongside former States Member, Jennifer Bridge MBE. The Action Group, in conjunction with the newly formed Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying Jersey, seeks to counter some of the misinformation being purported by opponents of the introduction of assisted dying.
HPAD Jersey will also be hosting Dr Anna Negus, an anaesthetist who is a provider of voluntary assisted dying to patients in Perth, Australia and hails from Bristol, UK for a briefing session for healthcare professionals on Thursday 16th May at 7pm at the Jersey Museum (in the AV theatre). To register, please email office@hpad.org.uk.
To join HPAD Jersey, please contact: nigel.minihane@gmail.com
To join the Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, please join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3525195107753539/
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For more information or interview requests, please email Fran Hall at francesca.hall@dignityindying.org.uk or phone 07746217363.
