We have a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed, reflecting our members’ differing views on the issue.  

However, given the Scottish Bill proposed a key role for registered nurses, we worked throughout the parliamentary process to strengthen the protections for nurses who may wish to participate in assisting a death under the framework proposed by the Bill, and for those who may not wish to participate. 

We worked with MSPs from across political parties and the Bill’s sponsor, Liam McArthur MSP, to influence the Bill. We secured 37 separate changes to the Bill at Stage 2 and a further ten changes at Stage 3 were a direct result of RCN influencing. During the debates, MSPs acknowledged RCN Scotland for our work promoting the interest of our members. 

Colin Poolman, Executive Director, RCN Scotland said: “Throughout this process we have maintained a neutral position on assisted dying. We have worked to ensure MSPs understood the implications for our members and that they considered the safeguards needed to protect nurses and the nursing profession.  

“The debate on assisted dying also highlighted the need to improve access to palliative care across Scotland and there is widespread consensus on the need for urgent and sustained investment in palliative and end-of-life care services. The next Scottish government must develop a sustainable funding model and address current high levels of unmet need.”