Christian Medial Fellowship
Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=27273
close
CMF on Facebook CMF on Twitter CMF on YouTube RSS Get in Touch with CMF
menu resources
ss triple helix - Autumn 2021,  BMA neutralised:  on assisted suicide and euthanasia

BMA neutralised: on assisted suicide and euthanasia

Review by Mark Pickering CMF Chief Executive

'Doctors Drop Opposition to Assisted Dying!' were the predictable headlines when the British Medical Association (BMA) narrowly voted to move from 'opposition' to 'neutrality' on 'assisted dying, including physician-assisted dying' (PAD), at its online Annual Representatives' Meeting (ARM) on 14 September. [1]

The vote was incredibly close, with just four votes (one per cent) in it; 302 voted, with 149 for, 145 against with eight abstentions. This represents just over one per cent of those voting in the BMA's 2020 member poll on PAD, where almost 29,000 responded. The poll itself showed marked diversity, with support for assisted dying most popular (40 per cent), ahead of opposition (33 per cent). However, that headline is misleading. [2] Students and retired doctors (who do not care for patients) were most in favour of PAD, whilst those in palliative care, oncology, geriatrics, and general practice (who routinely discuss end of life care with patients) were most opposed. The closer people get to 'assisted dying', the more they tend to recoil.

Strikingly, due to a loosely worded motion, the BMA is now not only neutral on assisted suicide (which had significant support in the members' poll), but also neutral on euthanasia (which did not). The vague catch-all campaign phrase 'assisted dying' covers both.

This slim margin is predictably being trumpeted as a major victory by campaigners. Excellent speeches against the motion, including some by CMF members, made the point that the only thing this really achieves is to hand a simple, seductive soundbite to campaigners as they press on to Parliament, where Baroness Meacher's Bill is due for debate on 22 October.

Much better would have been to focus Parliament's attention on the details of the BMA's poll, with nuanced data on where support for assisted dying actually lies (and does not lie) within the medical profession. The idea that the BMA must be 'neutral' in order to represent diversity is patently false - delegates also spent a whole hour in closed session, debating how the BMA can represent members' diverse views, irrespective of their overall position on PAD.

There is much to do. But there were some clear encouragements from this year's ARM. CMF members were able to pass policy on Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration, on conscience and moral injury, and on reducing sexual abuse of children. It was incredibly heartening to see members and allies working together to be salt and light in this challenging environment.

References

references (accessed 17/9/2021)

1. BMA to adopt neutral position on assisted dying. BMA Press Release, 14 September 2021.bit.ly/3kiAMgT

2. Fouch S. The headline figures don't tell the whole story in the BMA assisted suicide poll. CMF Blogs. 9 October 2020. cmf.li/3nvMdkI

Christian Medical Fellowship:
uniting & equipping Christian doctors & nurses
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instgram
Contact Phone020 7234 9660
Contact Address6 Marshalsea Road, London SE1 1HL
© 2024 Christian Medical Fellowship. A company limited by guarantee.
Registered in England no. 6949436. Registered Charity no. 1131658.
Design: S2 Design & Advertising Ltd   
Technical: ctrlcube