Isle of Man preparing to legalise assisted dying

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By Sarah Lowden

The Isle of Man is set to become the first place in the British Isles to approve the legal right to die.

The House of Keys voted on various amendments to the assisted dying bill earlier this week, before sending it back to the upper chamber – known as the legislative council – next month, from where it could be sent for royal assent.

Dr Alex Allinson, the member of the House of Keys (MHK) who introduced the private member’s bill in 2022, said he is hopeful it can become law later this year and that an assisted dying service could be in place by 2027.

As it stands, the Isle of Man bill is only for adults who have been living on the island for 5 years who have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of no more than 12 months, and who have a settled intention to end their life.