Catholic Medical Quarterly Vol 76 (2) May 2026
News
The defeat of Liam McArthur's Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 on 17th March.
From Gillian Wright, of Our Duty of Care, and Daniel Cuff, of Care not Killing
Dear colleagues,
After almost five years of consultation, campaigning and debate, MSPs have voted 69-57 to reject Liam McArthur's Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Stage 3 this evening. As CNK’s Gordon Macdonald told the media in response:
“We are relieved that MSPs have decided not to back this legislation.
“We believe the Bill posed serious risks to the most vulnerable in society – including disabled people and those suffering from domestic abuse.
“It threatened the relationship between doctor and patient that is central to our NHS.”
“Looking forward, there is one thing that both sides are agreed on: that we must improve palliative care in Scotland in the future.
“No one should have to suffer a painful death and we have to invest in palliative care services to en-sure that everyone has dignity at the end of life.”
There were many powerful speeches and MSPs deserve real credit for recognising the serious flaws in the Bill; but we also want to take a brief moment to thank you.
This has very much been a marathon, not a sprint, but colleagues have time and again answered the call to engage with MSPs and in so doing laid the groundwork for so many to vote as they did tonight. We will need your help again in the future (“this is coming back”,Liam McArthur told journalists this evening) but for now: thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Gillian Wright: Our Duty of Care
Daniel
Cuffe: Care Not Killing