Assisted suicide: Frequently asked questions

Published: 29 July 2009

The Royal College of Nursing recently moved to a neutral position on the issue of assisted suicide following an extensive and detailed consultation with its members. The decision was made by RCN Council at a meeting on 24 July. Below are some answers to the frequently asked questions that have been posed since the decision was taken.

When did the consultation take place and what did it involve?

The consultation opened on the 16 February 2009 and closed on the 22 May. A policy briefing paper providing an overview of the issues was produced with input from a range of RCN experts to facilitate the consultation process. This also included a detailed response form for nurses to use when submitting their views.

How did you let people know about the consultation?

The briefing paper and response form were sent widely to RCN Boards, Branches and Forums, the consultation was advertised through the nursing media and information was placed on the website and discussion zone. The issue was discussed at RCN Board meetings, there was a Congress fringe debate and a short web based film was produced.

How many members were involved in the consultation?

Overall, the consultation reached around 175,000 members and we know, for example, that the briefing document was downloaded in excess of 6,800 times and there were 6,500 viewings of the short film. We received 1,265 detailed responses. 1,247 of these were from individual members and the remaining 18 were, for example, from groups of members such as branches and forums. These responses were much more than a simple yes or no and included detailed feedback on some of the complex issues.

What were the results of the consultation?

RCN members voiced a range of divergent and passionate views on assisted suicide. The majority of individuals supported assisted suicide (49%), however there was also substantial opposition (40%). The remaining submissions were either neutral on the issue (9%) or failed to record a position (1%).

What does the Council decision mean and how was it made?

Following the decision by Council the RCN now neither supports nor opposes a change in the law to allow assisted suicide. The decision reflects the range of responses that were received during the consultation. The split in responses shows that there is no overwhelming support among nurses for either opposing or supporting a change in the law on assisted suicide. RCN Council fully support the common themes that came through the consultation, namely maintaining the nurse-patient relationship, protecting vulnerable patients and making sure there is adequate investment in end of life care. The College will continue to strongly campaign for access to the best quality palliative care to ensure that terminal suffering is properly managed.

What does the decision mean for me in my daily work?

The RCN's change of stance on the issue of assisted suicide reflects the views of members who responded to the consultation. It does not mean that the RCN is advising members to discuss assisted suicide with patients. Nurses and midwives must practise within their code of professional conduct and within the context of national laws. The law on assisted suicide has not changed and assisting the suicide of a patient is against the law.

What happens now?

Council decided that nurses need further guidance on the issue of assisted suicide which will now be commissioned. The guidance will consider the complicated ethical and clinical issues in relation to assisted suicide. The RCN will continue to play an active and positive role in any discussion around assisted suicide to ensure that the nursing voice is heard but reiterates that assisted suicide is against the law.