HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 c388W
Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures there are to monitor whether a terminally ill patient has received an assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia from(a) a member of the health care team and (b) a family member. [104536]

Mr. Lammy

Euthanasia, the intentional taking of life at the patient's request or for a merciful motive, is unlawful in the United Kingdom. Similarly, assisted suicide is unlawful under the Suicide Act 1961. The investigation of alleged criminal offences and the decision whether to prefer charges in a particular case are operational matters for the chief officer of the police force concerned.

Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are in place for NHS Direct staff dealing with patients' inquiries relating to assisted suicides or voluntary euthanasia. [104537]

Mr. Lammy

There are no standard procedures in place for NHS Direct staff dealing with inquiries relating to assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia, as they are both unlawful in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Calton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS-funded training programmes provide guidance on dealing with patient requests for a medically assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia. [104560]

Mr. Lammy

Euthanasia, the intentional taking of life at the patient's request or for a merciful motive, is unlawful in the United Kingdom. Similarly, assisted suicide is unlawful under the Suicide Act 1961. The Department of Health is not aware of any national health service funded training programmes to deal with such requests.