RCN position on assisted dying in the UK and Crown Dependencies
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has a neutral position on the principle of assisted dying. We are steadfast in our focus on ensuring that any legislative framework is practicable, fair, and protects the rights and autonomy of nursing staff. This position allows us to represent and support all nursing staff, regardless of their personal or professional stance on assisted dying, while focusing on practical measures to ensure patient safety, workforce protection, and the effective delivery of high-quality, end-of-life care.
The proposed changes to legalise assisted dying would have a significant impact on the role and practice of registered nurses. While we take no position on whether bills should become law, we are committed to ensuring that, should assisted dying be legalised, the framework is robust and equitable for all involved.
We believe nursing staff must have the right to choose whether to be involved or not in assisted dying, for any reason, in line with the principles set out in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code. No member of the nursing workforce should experience any form of detriment because of their decision to participate or not. This protection should also extend to indirect involvement, such as administrative tasks or referrals, to ensure all nursing staff are supported in line with their personal and professional values.
The RCN (in addition to the NMC) calls for a conscientious objection clause to ensure that NMC Registrants are not under a legal duty to participate in assisted dying. The NMC Code makes provision for conscientious objection (paragraphs 4.4, 20.7) and has published conscientious objection guidance.
If assisted dying were to be legalised, the RCN would want to see specific provisions in the legislation making it unlawful to discriminate against, or cause detriment to, any member of the nursing workforce based on their decision to either participate, or not participate, in assisted dying, as well as ensuring they are protected from harassment and or abuse.
Clinical supervision and support to all nursing staff that may be involved in assisted dying is a responsibility of employers.
Nursing staff, regardless of their title, role, or place of work, have a part to play in ensuring they can undertake difficult and sensitive conversations with the people they care for. It is essential that nursing staff are enabled to address concerns and provide support to those in their care safely and effectively*.
Context
Assisted dying raises legal, ethical, medical, socio-cultural and religious issues, as well as the professional and personal considerations for nursing staff.
The changes being proposed to the legislation on assisted dying in England, Wales, Scotland and Crown Dependencies have intensified the debate further. The current discussion on the proposed changes to the law is taking place in different parts of the UK and all are at different stages in the legislative process. The RCN will continue to review the implications and represent the views of our members on the potential changes to the assisted dying legislation as they proceed.
Patient experience
It is imperative that any person deciding to end their life has the mental capacity to do this .
Many of the concerns from members include the potential for coercion and abuse of vulnerable people. This could involve financial abuse. Furthermore, there are concerns that poor palliative care and symptom management, including poor pain control, could be a reason for some patients wanting to end their life.
We will work with and support our members to ensure relevant information and guidance is available to enable the delivery of high-quality end of life care to patients that require it across all settings. Building trusting and therapeutic relationship with individuals and providing evidence-based information, appropriate treatment and person-centred care is vital to making the last few months and days of life as comfortable as possible.
The RCN will continue to call for the provision of high-quality palliative and end of life care for all patients, and for the nursing workforce required to deliver it across all health care settings.
References
Assisted dying bill in England and Wales: what nursing staff need to know | RCN Magazine
Conscientious objection - The Nursing and Midwifery Council
Gov.JE (2025) Assisted Dying in Jersey Parliament of the Isle of Man (2025) Assisted Dying Bill 2023 (Private Members Bill)
RCN (2024) RCN Scotland briefing - Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
UK Parliament (2025) Terminally ill adults (end of life) Bill.
*The RCN guidance ‘When someone asks for your assistance to die’, published in 2016 (2nd Edition) is currently being updated to support nurses manage some of the challenges and difficult conversations relating to assisted dying.
