Assisted Dying: 'Doctors need to contribute to the debate'

Dr Chris Stockport describes it as a 'contentious subject'

As the Assisted Dying Bill awaits royal assent, Manx Care's Medical Director says doctors need to contribute to the conversation.

In March, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to approve assisted dying legislation.

Under the provisions in the bill, eligible adults over the age of 18 with a prognosis of 12 months or less to live - who have lived on the Island for at least five years - will be given the right to choose to die.

Speaking on Mannin Line today (10 June), Dr Chris Stockport says there's a lot of work to be done in terms of working through how the legislation should or shouldn't work, calling on doctors to contribute to the debate. 

He says the topic is always going to be a contentious subject and had this response when asked what Manx Care's position is on the legislation: