Psychiatrists turn against assisted suicide Bill ahead of Friday’s vote

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has spoken out against the controversial Assisted Suicide Bill, just days before a crucial vote in the House of Commons on Friday, 16 May. While officially neutral on assisted suicide, the College warns that the proposed law is “inadequate” and poses serious mental health risks—particularly for those suffering from depression or terminal illness.

Dr Lade Smith, the College’s president, raised concerns about a shortage of qualified psychiatrists to carry out the mental health assessments the law would require. She urged MPs to reconsider the Bill’s implications before moving it forward.

Cross-party MPs, including Conservative psychiatrist Ben Spencer and Labour MP Melanie Ward, echoed these warnings, highlighting fears about moral pressure on the elderly, the undermining of suicide prevention, and the devaluation of life for the terminally ill.

Despite growing resistance—including an estimated 15 MPs switching sides—supporters of the Bill remain confident it will pass. The original vote in 2024 saw the legislation clear its Second Reading by 55 votes, and unless momentum shifts dramatically, it may now advance to the Third Reading in June.

Meanwhile, the release of a 149-page Impact Assessment has sparked fresh backlash. The report estimates that over 1,300 people would request assisted suicide in the first year, with numbers rising sharply over the next decade. Critics, including the Anglican Bishop of London and commentators in The Times and The Telegraph, describe the Bill’s provisions as “chilling,” with fears that it could permanently alter the moral fabric of the NHS and British law.

The outcome of Friday’s vote could be historic—and divisive. If passed, the Assisted Suicide Bill would bring England and Wales closer than ever to legalising euthanasia, following a similar move in Scotland, where MSPs voted 70–56 in favour of assisted dying just this week.