MORE than 250 senior doctors and healthcare professionals from across Wales have urged Senedd members to vote against proposed assisted dying legislation ahead of a crucial vote next week.
In an open letter, consultants and clinicians working across a wide range of specialties warn that the Bill is “deeply flawed” and argue that it should not be introduced into the NHS in Wales.
The letter raises concerns about what it describes as “inadequate” scrutiny of the proposals, which are due to be debated and voted on in the Senedd on January 20. The authors say the legislation “undermines devolved independence in healthcare and poses unacceptable risks to patient safety and equity”.
It states: “We have worked across the nation with vulnerable patients, and in under-resourced health and social care services. Those who are distressed as they face a terminal illness deserve better. unachieved. We know that care provision currently fails too many, but this Bill is not the answer.”
The signatories argue that the proposals fail to account for the risks of misdiagnosis and inaccurate prognoses, warning that predicting life expectancy with certainty is impossible. They also express concern that people could feel pressured to choose assisted dying because they believe they are a burden or because of gaps in care provision.
They write that:
“Patients will be eligible to access lethal drugs if they feel a burden or because of a lack of services. Coercion is often covert and difficult to detect, particularly when undue influence comes from family or from a person with authority.”
Although assisted dying is not devolved and remains a matter for Westminster, the Senedd vote will influence how the law would operate in Wales.
In December 2024, MPs backed the proposal, which would allow adults over the age of 18 who are expected to die within six months to receive help to end their own lives, subject to safeguards. The Bill is still being debated in the House of Lords.
Next week’s vote in the Senedd concerns a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM), which examines how the legislation would apply in Wales if passed.
If Senedd members reject the LCM, assisted dying services in Wales could be delivered only by private providers, potentially requiring Welsh residents to travel to England for assessment and treatment. Provisions under discussion relating to Welsh-language access and Wales-specific clinical guidance would also fall away.
A Senedd committee report published in October 2025 highlighted the risk of divergence between England and Wales, warning:
“There is the potential for the availability of assisted dying services to be different in England and Wales.
“Whilst we recognise this is a feature of the devolution settlement, we wish to highlight the significant implications of an asymmetrical cross-border approach, including uncertainty and inequity for patients, and operational challenges for health professionals.”
The committee also noted the implications if assisted dying were available through the NHS in England but only via private provision in Wales.
A previous non-binding Senedd debate on assisted dying took place in October 2024. Members were free to vote according to their own views rather than party lines, and the motion did not pass.
With another vote looming, campaigners on both sides have intensified efforts to influence politicians.
The latest letter has been signed by more than 120 doctors, nurses, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, medical managers, radiographers, paramedics and physiologists. The authors say they remain concerned about the detail of the legislation, the scrutiny it has received, and the “significant” cross-border implications, noting that around 13,300 Welsh residents are registered with GPs in England and more than 21,100 English residents with GPs in Wales.
Palliative care physician Dr Victoria Wheatley said:
“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 Deirdre Hine also raised concerns about unintended consequences of legal change, particularly for vulnerable groups including homeless and disabled people.
The letter, reproduced in full below, concludes by urging Senedd members to withhold legislative consent for what it describes as a “deeply flawed” Bill.
The letter in full:
Dear Members of Senedd Cymru,
As health care professionals, we are deeply concerned about the Terminally III Adults (End of Life) Bill. We have worked across the nation with vulnerable patients and in under-resourced health and social care services. Those who are distressed as they face a terminal illness deserve better. The inequity in provision of specialist palliative care and hospice beds is well known and articulated in Marie Curie report ‘At Breaking Point – time to transform end of life care in Wales’ (March 2025). The 2022 Quality statement for palliative and end of life care in Wales is ambitious but unachieved. We know that care provision currently fails too many, but this Bill is not the answer.
The Bill’s definition of terminal illness fails to recognise the risks from mistaken diagnosis or misinformation. Accurate prognostica-tion is impossible. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The Mental Capacity Act (MCA 2005) was not designed to assess suicidality. A full psychosocial and mental health assessment should be required for a person who presents with suicidal ideation, whether they are terminally ill or not. This Bill’s proposals undermine the ‘The Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Delivery Plan for Wales 2025-2028’.
Patients will be eligible to access lethal drugs if they feel a burden or because of a lack of services. Coercion is often covert and difficult to detect, particularly when undue influence comes from family or from a person with authority.
The oversight within this Bill is inadequate. The panel does not need to see the patient. The MHRA does not need to regulate the drugs. The coroner does not need to review the death. There is no mechanism for independent scrutiny of the assisted dying service, for appeal against panel approval or redress for distressed family members.
Will the Senedd concur with UK Parliament providing patients the means to take their own lives when we know they will not get a hospice bed or meaningful counselling? In 2024, Senedd Cymru was strongly opposed to the ideology of the introduction of assisted dying in Wales.
The Bill contains sweeping Henry VIII powers, which have been extensively criticised by the Constitution Committee. These powers would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations directly impacting Wales and disrespects our devolved independence in healthcare.
We urge the Senedd to decline legislative consent connected to this deeply flawed Bill.
Yours sincerely,
Emma Abel, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Merthyr Tydfil
Jenna Allsopp, Clinical Nurse Specialist , Cardiff
Lori Amos, Nurse, Cardiff
Dr Charlotte Ansell, Palliative Care Registrar, Newport
Dr Mohammed Anwar, Specialty Registrar, Swansea
Sharon Ashcroft, Physiotherapist Specialising in Persistent Pain, Dyfed
Dr Jane Ashwell, Consultant Anaesthetist (retired), Cardiff
Dr Megumi Baba, Consultant Paediatric Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr Aram Baghomian, Consultant Gastroenterologist, North Wales
Gaenor Baghomian, Nurse (retired),
Dr Russell Banner, Consultant Oncologist, Cowbridge
Dr Julie Barker, GP with Special Interest in Palliative & End of Life Care, Welshpool
Dr Atanu Basu, Physician, Abergele
Dr Victoria Bayliss, Specialty Doctor, Palliative Medicine, Usk
Dr Craig Beaton, Intensive Care and Anaesthetic Consultant, Denbigh
Astrid Beenken, NHS Staff Nurse (retired), Rhyl
Dr Elen Berry, Respiratory Speciality Registrar, Wales
Dr Eve Blakemore, GP, Conwy
Kim Briggs, Hospice nurse, Pembrokeshire
Anne Bristow, Occupational Therapist, Colwyn Bay
Dr Eleanor Brown, GP (retired), Cardiff
Dr Karen Brown, Consultant Nephrologist/Acute Medicine, Clynderwen
Dr George Bugelli, Consultant Anaesthetist, Prestatyn
Dr Tania Bugelli, Consultant Psychiatrist, North Wales
Dr Lara Burton, Foundation Doctor, Cardiff
Anthony Byrne, Palliative Medicine Consultant, Cardiff
Dr Margred Capel, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Gillian Carter, Specialist Nurse, Pembrokeshire
Jacqueline Casson, NHS Manager, North Wales
Kathryn Caughey, GP Specialty Trainee, Cardiff
Dr Sanghamitra Chakrabarti, Consultant Physician, Rhyl
Dr Indrajit Chattopadhyay, Consultant, Rhyl
Dr Eley Chiu, Specialty Doctor in Psychiatry, Cardiff
Dr Alistair Church, Consultant Neurologist, Newport
Professor Angus Clarke, Professor in Clinical Genetics , Barry
Lynsey Clarke, Respiratory Specialist Nurse, Hawarden
Bronwen Clatworthy, Midwife, Aberbeeg
Carol Clemence, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Colwyn Bay
Dr Terry Collingwood, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine, Gwynedd
Mr Andrew Colwill, Physiotherapist, Cardiff
Dr Alice Crabtree, Consultant Palliative medicine, Cardiff
Debra Cross, Staff nurse, Swansea
Dr Bethan Cumins, GP Registrar, Cardiff
Angela Dacey, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiff
Nicole Daniels, Occupational therapist, Swansea
Dr Paul Das, Consultant Cardiologist, North Wales
Dr Glesni Davies, Consultant Geriatrician, North Wales
Dr Gwenllian Davies, Consultant in Palliative medicine, Llanelli
Dr Sarah Davies, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Colwyn Bay
Dr Karl Davis, Consultant Geriatrician, Cardiff
Dr Anthony Dew, Clinical Lead Intermediate Care, Pembrokeshire
Dr Ravi Dissanayake, Consultant Physician, Haverfordwest
Jane Dixon, Clinical Nurse Specialist Palliative Care, Gwent
Dr Klaudia Dobrzycka, Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine, Haverfordwest
Dr Simon Dobson, GP, Rhyl
Alison Docherty, Palliative Care Occupational therapist, Cardiff
Dr James Douglas, Intensive Care Medicine & Anaesthetics, Cardiff
Dr Selina D’Silva, Palliative Care Doctor, Cardiff
Dr Tiffany D’Silva, Palliative Care Doctor, Caerdydd
Dr Ruth Dwyer, Anaesthetist (retired), Swansea
Dr Sean Dwyer, Consultant Anaesthetist, Swansea
Dr Sarah Dyer, Physician, Wrexham
Dr Marc Edwards, GP, Bangor
Dr Rhodri Edwards, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, Swansea
Mr Lee Edwards, Palliative Care Paramedic, Cwmbran
Dr Sioned Enlli, GP, Caernarfon
Janette Espley, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Merthyr Tydfil
Dr Peter Evans, GP Senior Partner, Bridgend
Dr Louisa Evans, GP, Bridgend
Joanne Evans, Occupational Therapist, Neath Port Talbot
Rebecca Evans, Specialist Nurse, Swansea
Dr Helen Fielding, Consultant Palliative Medicine, Carmarthenshire
Professor Andrew Finlay, Professor of Dermatology (retired), Cardiff
Dr Rhian Finn, Respiratory Consultant, Swansea
Jess Fitzpatrick, Clinical Palliative Care Nurse, Cardiff
Dr Harri Foster Davies, Surgical Resident Doctor, Cardiff
Sue Fosterjohn, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist (retired), Wales
Dr Gareth Francis, Acute Oncology Clinical Fellow, Swansea
Dr Ria Fraser, Specialty Dr Palliative Medicine, Porthcawl
Laura Ganesh, RGN Palliative Care, Merthyr tydfil
Julia Gaskell, Occupational Therapist, Llandrindod Wells
Terri Gazi, Lead Nurse Hospice (retired), Cardiff
Dr Aoife Gleeson, Consultant, cardiff
Georgina Glover, Specialist palliative care paramedic, Swansea
Bernadette Griffiths, Health care support worker, Aberdare
Ithwen Angharad Griffiths, Nyrs, Caerfyrddin
Lynda Griffiths, Palliative Care Nurse, Mountain Ash
Non Griffiths, Physiotherapist, Cardiff
Joanne Gronow, Nurse, Barry
Leanne Groves, Specialist Nurse, Denbighshire
Dr Pola Grzybowska, Palliative Medicine Consultant , Cardiff
Dr Bibek Gupta, Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry, Llanelli
Dr Sarbari Gupta, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Llantrisant
Dr Sarah Gwynne, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Swansea
Dr Andrew Haden, Consultant Geriatrician, Swansea
Professor Richard Hain, Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine, All-Wales
Julie Hamer, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Chronic Pain, Neath
Dr Susan Hamilton, Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bangor
Dr Tim Hamilton, Palliative medicine consultant, Cardiff
Portia Hampton Wale, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pembrokeshire
Dr Catherine Handley, GP, Cardiff
Bethany Hannaford, Childrens Community Nurse, Cardiff
Dr Elin Harding, Clinical Research Fellow in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr Joan Hardway, GP, Rhyl
Dr Richard Hardway, GP, Rhyl
Dr Dewi Harris, Retired, Hwlffordd
Dylan Harris, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Belinda Hawkins, Radiographer, Mold
Dr Jo Hayes, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr William Henderson, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist, Bridgend
Meinir Henry, Health Visitor (retired), Pontypridd
Dr Maria Herbert, Palliative Care Registrar, Cardiff
Beth Hewes, Palliative Care Paramedic, Swansea
Kathryn Hill, Palliative Care Advanced Paramedic, Cardiff
Dame Deirdre Hine, Former Chief Medical Officer , Cardiff
Mr Daniel Holmes, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Swansea
Professor Ben Hope-Gill, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Cardiff
Dr Michael Hope-Gill, GP (retired), Bridgend
Dr Gwenllian Hughes, GP and Palliative Care Doctor, Cardiff
Dr Kathryn Hughes, GP Specialty Trainee, Cardiff
Dr Menna Hughes, Specialty Dr Palliative Care, Llantrisant
Anna Hughes, Pharmacist, Wrexham
Dr David Jackson, Consultant Radiologist, Dinas Powys
Mr Edwin Jesudason, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bangor
Claire John, Nursing Ward Sister/Manager, Cardiff
Dr Faye Johnson, Palliative Medicine Consultant, Swansea
Alison Johnson, Neuroscience research nurse , Caerdydd
Louise Johnson, Clinical nurse Specialist , Cardiff
Dr Julie Jones, Associate Specialist, Bodelwyddan
Debra Jones, Nurse, Abergele
Sarah Jones, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, specialist palliative care, Pembs.
Dr Fady Joseph, Consultant Neurologist, Newport
Dr Sarah Kennedy, GP, Llantrisant
Dr Ranj Khaffaf, Consultant Pain Medicine, Merthyr Tydfil
Dr Mutaher Khatib, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (retired), Cardiff
Dr Hannah Khirwadkar, Consultant Neuroradiologist, Swansea
Dr Lucy Kingdon, Resident Doctor, Swansea
Dr Elizabeth Kubiak, Consultant Pathologist (Clinical Microbiology), Newport
Mr Nagappan Kumar, Consultant Hepatobiliary surgeon, Cardiff
Dr Charlotte Lawthom, Consultant Neurologist, Cardiff
Dr Ming Lee, GP, Wrexham
Mr Joshua Lee, Physiotherapist, Swansea
Dr Nicky Leopold, Consultant Geriatrician, Swansea
Dr Anna Lewis, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Cwm Taf Morgannwg
Dr Patricia Lewis, GP (retired), Narberth
Dr Sarah Lewis, Consultant Haematologist, Abergavenny
Rachel Lewis, Nurse, Denbighshire
Dr Gemma Lewis-Williams, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Ynys Mon
Dr Karene Lim, Consultant Radiologist, Cardiff
Dr Gokulkrishnan Lingesan, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Ceredigion
Dr David Lloyd, GP (retired), Swansea
Leigh Lowe, Palliative Care Nurse, Swansea
Dr Iain Macgregor, GP, Swansea
Dr Susan Macgregor, Specialty Doctor, Swansea
Dr Maha Mansour, Consultant Paediatrician, Swansea
Dr Carol Manwell, GP (retired), Llanybydder
John Marston, Pharmacist, St Asaph
Dr Emma Mason, Consultant in Acute and Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr Nicholas Mason, Consultant Anaesthetist, Cardiff
Dr Samah Massalha, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Rhyl
Sarah McClean, Student Physiotherapist, Cardiff
Reena McClure, Physiotherapist, Bridgend
Dr Sean McCormack, GP (retired), Abergele
Elaine McGleish, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Bridgend
Louise McGrath, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiff
Leanne Mcmillan, Welfare rights officer, Cardiff
Daisy McMullen, Student Physiotherapist, Cardiff
Dr Andrew Mitchell, Staff Grade Psychiatrist (retired), Newtown Powys
Mr Jefkins Mndala, Nurse, Port Talbot
Dr Susan Morgan, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Swansea Bay
Dr Alexandria Morgan, Consultant Anaesthetist, Swansea
Dr Nicola Morgan, Consultant Paediatrician, Cardiff
Glenda Morris, Senior Nurse, Swansea
Margaret Moss, Nurse including Marie Curie nursing (retired), Cardiff
Dr Sian Newman, GP, Castell Newydd Emlyn
Rhian Newton, Pharmacist, Swansea
Dr Lean Lik Ng, Anaesthetist Registrar, Swansea
Kathrine O Connell, Clinical Nurse Specialist Deputy Team Leader, Cardiff
Dr Brendan O’Reilly, GP, Pontyclun
Annie Osterloff, RN Ward Manager Specialist Palliative Care, Swansea
Dr Katharine Owen, GP, Llanelli
Dr Rebecca Owen, GP, Abergele
Dr Rhian Owen, Macmillan Consultant in Palliative Medicine (retired), Cardiff
Dr Delyth Parry, GP (retired), Bae Colwyn
Dr Rosemary Patten, Consultant Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr Nikki Pease, Consultant Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Dr Kathryn Pinkham, GP , Llanelli
DR Stuart Porter, Consultant Psychiatrist, Prestatyn
Jaqueline Pottle, Occupational Therapist (retired), North Wales
Dr Simon Poulter, Consultant Anaesthetist, Bridgend
Carolyn Powell, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Soecialist, Merthyr Tydfil
Dr Prakrit Prasad, Locum Senior House Officer, Cardiff
Helen Prentice, Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor (retired), Conwy
Dr Georgina Prestwich, Palliative Care Registrar, Cardiff
Lynn Pritchard, Senior Physiotherapist (retired), Abergele
Dr Annell Prosser, Palliative Medicine Specialist Registrar, Swansea
Dr Christine Range, Consultant Anaesthetist, Llanelli
Professor Fiona Rawlinson, Consultant in Palliative Care, Cardiff
Dr Sara Razvi, GP, Cardiff
Dr Emily Rea, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Newport, Wales
Nicole Rees, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Maesteg, Bridgend
Kealey Roberts, Assistant Practitioner, Denbigshire
Rachel Roberts, Palliative Occupational Therapist, Cardiff
Dr Hannah Robinson, Palliative Medicine Consultant, Cardiff
Dr Richard Robinson, GP, Aberaeron
Gwen Robinson, Nurse, Colwyn Bay
Dr Miriam Rodriguez Winter, GP, Newtown
Mich Rogers, Nurse, Lla
Dr Rebecca Ryvar, GP, Gronant
Dr Sian Saha, Consultant, Cardiff
Dr Marvic Sammut, Specialty Doctor Community Paediatrics, St Asaph
Dr Francis Sansbury, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Cardiff
Dr Ghislaine Sayer, Consultant Radiologist, Bangor
Dr Julia Scaife, Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, Swansea
Alexandria Scarlett, Respiratory Physiologist, Rhyll
Dr Siwan Seaman, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Caerdydd
Catriona Seed, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Cardiff
Dr Alison Sherwood, GP (retired), Llanelli
Holly Simmons, Occupational Therapist, Swansea
Dr Victoria Suter-Jones, Consultant Geriatrician, Cardiff
Dr Loretta Sweeney, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Cardiff
Linda Tadgell, Respiratory Nurse, Rhyl
Michelle Tamlyn, Nurse, Tonypandy
Professor Mark Taubert, NHS Consultant and Clinical Director, Cardiff
Dr Osama Taweel, Consultant Physician, Sketty, Swansea
Mr David Taylor, Physician Associate, Cardiff
Julia Taylor, Palliative Care Nurse, Cardiff
Dr Brian Tehan, Consultant Anaesthetist, Bodelwyddan
Dr Elin Thomas, Consultant Stroke and Elderly Care Physician, Swansea
Dr Owain Thomas, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Llanelli
Ashleigh Thomas, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Newport
Dr Chris Thomas-Brown, Palliative Care Doctor, Swansea
Mr Hugh Tregoning, Professional Liason Consultant, Swansea
Mr Jonathan Samuel Varghese, Medical Student, Cardiff
Dr Sarah Venn, Public Health Consultant / GP (retired), Gwent
Sian Vincent, Nurse, Bridgend
Dr Patricia Walters, GP (retired), Wrexham
Dr Lauren Warrington, Foundation Year 2 Doctor, Cardiff
Mr Nicholas Watson, Advanced Nurse Practioner, Conwy
Ellen Watt, Nursing Student, Cardiff
Helen Way, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Cardiff
Janet Weatherhead, Specialist Nurse, North Wales
Dr Hefina Weaver, GP, Port Talbot
Dr John Wells, Consultant Surgeon, Cardiff
Dr Victoria Wheatley, Palliative Medicine Consultant, South Wales
Dr Sairan Whitaker, Consultant Dermatologist, Swansea
Dr Alison Whyte, Specialty Doctor in Palliative Medicine, Cardiff
Margaret Wildman, Midwife (retired), Corwen
Dr Anthony Williams, Palliative Medicine Consultant, Cardiff
Dr Peter Williams, Consultant General Psychiatrist (retired), Cardifg
Lynnette Williams, Specialist Nurse in Palliative Care (retired), Cardiff
Michelle Williams, Healthcare Support Worker Palliative Care, Aberdare
Samantha Williams, Nurse, Colwyn Bay
Dr Anna Wilson, Specialist Registrar, Colwyn Bay
Mr John Wilson, Prison Caseworker (retired), Deeside
Alice Wilson, Clinical Lead Neurological Physiotherapist, Pembrokeshire
Janette Wilson, Palliative Care Nurse (retired), Deeside
Dr Mark Wiltshire, Section 12 Doctor, Cardiff
Dr Christopher Woolley, Consultant Paediatrician, Cardiff
Dr Sarah Wright, Radiology Registrar, Swansea
Dr Tatyana Yermakova, Consultant Neurophysiologist, Newport
