**GMB’s Dr Hilary Jones Expresses Support for Assisted Dying as Commons Debates Landmark Bill**
Leading television GP Dr Hilary Jones has publicly declared his support for assisted dying in the case of terminally ill patients. Dr Jones, a familiar face on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, described the move as both “kind and compassionate,” suggesting he would personally help a patient end their life should the law permit. His comments come as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to the House of Commons for what could prove a pivotal debate in the ongoing struggle over assisted dying in England and Wales.
Currently, the law in both England and Wales prohibits the act of encouraging or assisting suicide, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 14 years. The Bill under consideration seeks to permit adults, diagnosed with a terminal illness and a prognosis of less than six months to live, to request medical assistance in ending their life. This process would require the agreement of two doctors as well as scrutiny from a specialised expert panel.
During an interview with the PA news agency, Dr Jones outlined how present legal restrictions create significant anxieties for medical professionals. “People who care for those at the end of life are often anxious that their actions could be misinterpreted or challenged in court,” he asserted. Jones explained that this fear sometimes results in patients receiving substandard palliative care, as healthcare teams are wary of the legal consequences linked to the medications they administer or the doses prescribed.
The Bill’s previous reading in the Commons saw MPs vote in favour of a new clause expanding the existing opt-out, previously limited to doctors, to include all professionals involved in assisted dying such as pharmacists and social care workers. Medics will therefore not be compelled to participate if it contradicts their personal beliefs. Proponents see this as a thoughtful balance between personal principles and patient autonomy.
However, opposition to the Bill remains strong among certain medical circles. Both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have voiced their reservations, highlighting unresolved ethical and procedural concerns in the current draft of the legislation. The Royal College of Physicians, in particular, called attention to what it described as “concerning deficiencies,” while the psychiatrists’ body said it has “serious concerns” and cannot endorse the Bill at this stage.
Dr Hilary Jones, who brings over 45 years of experience in medicine and has previously worked on oncology wards, has been candid in his longstanding support for assisted dying. He shared how his own mother, herself a nurse, endured needless suffering at the end of her life despite having exemplary palliative care. He suggested that she “would be proud” to see him speaking publicly on this difficult subject, reinforcing his view that assisted dying represents a humane and compassionate path for those who desire it.
Respectful of faith-based and cultural objections to assisted dying, Dr Jones highlighted that any changes to the law would enshrine the principle of personal choice. “It is not something to be imposed upon anyone,” he stated. “This is about allowing individuals with terminal illnesses, where no further cure is possible and suffering continues, to make that personal decision with dignity and clarity, surrounded by loved ones and under careful medical guidance.”
Despite passionate advocacy, the debate remains deeply divided. Groups opposing the Bill, such as Our Duty Of Care—comprised of concerned healthcare professionals—argue that the focus should be on expanding and improving access to high-quality palliative, social, and psychological care. Dr Gillian Wright, a spokesperson for the group, insisted that without adequate support services already in place, those who seek assisted dying may not be making a fully informed and voluntary choice.
As the political and medical communities prepare for another round of debate, the Assisted Dying Bill continues to raise profound questions about compassion, autonomy, and the future of end-of-life care in the UK. The outcome will determine whether England and Wales join a growing number of Western nations that have legalised assisted dying, or whether the current legal framework—and its attendant anxieties for both patients and professionals—remains unchanged.
With the nation’s attention focused on Parliament this Friday, both advocates and opponents are calling for careful consideration of not just the legal but also the moral dimensions in one of medicine’s most sensitive frontiers. Whatever the Commons decides, the national conversation on end-of-life choice and dignity is unlikely to be settled any time soon.