Welsh doctors and nurses urge Senedd to reject assisted dying bill.

Press Release from Odoc Wales

RELEASE DATE: Monday 12th January 2026

RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATE

Over 250 Doctors and Nurses Urge Senedd to Reject Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Notable signatories include, Dame Hine, Professors Hain, Clarke, A. Finlay, Hope-Gill, Rawlinson, Taubert and over 120 doctors plus nurses, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical managers, radiographers, paramedics and physiologists.

In an open letter, more than 250 healthcare professionals working across Wales have united to express serious concerns about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. They are calling on Members of the Senedd to reject the forthcoming Legislative Consent Motion scheduled for Tuesday, 20 January.

Despite demanding clinical roles—primarily within NHS Wales—these professionals have coordinated their response to highlight the risks this legislation poses to the future of Welsh healthcare.

Dr Sarah Davies, a respiratory physician in North Wales, stated:

“It is vital that our elected representatives understand that this vote concerns the specific details of this proposed legislation and how it will operate. It is not a general vote on assisted suicide.”

Palliative care physician Dr Victoria Wheatley added:

“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, also voiced her opposition, citing the unintended consequences of changing the law and the risks to vulnerable groups such as homeless and disabled individuals.

Professor Hope-Gill raised further concerns about the sweeping Henry VIII powers embedded in the Bill and its reliance on secondary legislation for key operational details. Cross-border implications are significant, with 13,300 Welsh residents registered with GPs in England and over 21,100 English residents registered with GPs in Wales.

The signatories conclude:

“This Bill undermines devolved independence in healthcare and poses unacceptable risks to patient safety and equity. We urge Members of the Senedd to reject legislative consent for this deeply flawed Bill.”

For media inquiries and a pdf copy of the letter and signatories please contact Alistair Thompson of Team Britannia PR on: 07970 162225 or by email: alistair@teambritanniapr.com

ENDS

Editors Notes:

Our Duty of Care is a group of healthcare workers who oppose the intentional killing of patients by assisted suicide or euthanasia.

We are a campaign that is supported and administered by the Care Not Killing Alliance.

*As this story is dealing with suicide, please could we ask that you include details about organisations that offer help and support to vulnerable people who might be feeling suicidal such as the Samaritans, CALM or similar - Thank you.*