Assisted Dying & Euthanasia in the UK - NHS Medicine Hot Topics & Interview Questions

You will need to provide some examples of hot topics you can apply during your medical school interviews. Here you will learn everything you need to know about euthanasia and assisted dying in the UK.

This is a particularly relevant and fast-moving hot topic. An Assisted Dying Bill for England and Wales made historic progress through Parliament between 2024 and 2026 before ultimately falling, so you need to understand both the ethical arguments and the current legal position. This article will help you do exactly that.

This includes the ethical implications and some example medicine interview questions and model answers. Combine your reading here with medicine interview tutoring to boost your answers and delivery.

Summary of Euthanasia and Assisted Dying in the UK for Medical Interviews

• Euthanasia is when a doctor intentionally ends the life of a patient, usually with medication, to relieve them of their suffering
• Assisted dying is when a doctor provides a patient with the means and instructions to end their own life, but the patient performs the final act
• Both euthanasia and assisted dying remain illegal across the UK. An Assisted Dying Bill for England and Wales passed its first Commons vote in November 2024 and cleared the Commons in June 2025, but it fell in the House of Lords in April 2026 when the parliamentary session ended, so the law has not changed. A separate bill is progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
• You should be prepared to answer questions about the arguments for and against euthanasia, as well as key ethical issues with the topic such as who would be eligible and more

Key Update (2026): What Happened to the Assisted Dying Bill

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: 2024–2026 Timeline

On 29 November 2024, MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its second reading – the first time the House of Commons had backed assisted dying in this way. It was a free vote, meaning MPs voted according to conscience rather than party lines.

That second-reading vote passed by 330 to 275. The Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would have allowed terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to seek assistance to end their own life, subject to strict safeguards.

The Bill then cleared its committee stage and passed its third reading in the Commons in June 2025, before moving to the House of Lords. Public reaction remained mixed: groups such as Dignity in Dying welcomed it as a step towards choice and dignity, while disability-rights campaigners and some doctors warned about risks to vulnerable people.

In the House of Lords, the Bill became bogged down by more than 1,200 amendments and ran out of parliamentary time. It fell on 24 April 2026 when the 2024–2026 session of Parliament ended, meaning it did not become law.

As a result, assisted dying remains illegal in England and Wales. Supporters have said they will reintroduce a similar bill in a future session, so this is still a live and frequently examined interview topic – always check the latest position before your interview.

Key Ethical and Social Issues Related to Euthanasia and Assisted Dying in the UK

What is the difference between euthanasia and assisted dying?

Euthanasia is when a doctor administers medications with the intent of ending a patient’s life. In most places around the world where this is legal, it is performed exclusively on terminally ill patients with little time left to live - often estimated at less than 6 months.

Euthanasia is usually carried out using a class of drugs known as barbiturates. These drugs slow down the brain and nervous system, so are often used in smaller doses to treat patients with seizures or insomnia, or as anaesthesia.

Assisted dying, on the other hand, is when a doctor provides these medications to a patient to administer to themselves. There is much debate as to the ethical distinction between the two concepts. Some argue that both are essentially identical, whilst others believe that it is different when the doctor is not performing the final act. There are also practical considerations, such as patients who are physically incapable of performing assisted suicide but may wish for euthanasia.

Euthanasia or assisted dying is legal in many places around the world - including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, some parts of the USA, and more.

Both of these terms are different from what is known as passive euthanasia, the withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment such as a ventilator. This is legal with the consent of the patient, or in cases where a patient is brainstem-dead.

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What is the difference between active and passive euthanasia?

Active euthanasia involves the deliberate act of ending a person's life, such as administering a lethal dose of medication or injection, with the intention of relieving the person's suffering.

Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, such as ventilators, feeding tubes, or medication, with the intention of allowing the person to die naturally.

The key difference between active and passive euthanasia is that active euthanasia involves a positive act to end a person's life, while passive euthanasia involves a decision to refrain from continuing medical treatment or support that is keeping the person alive.

Both active and passive euthanasia are controversial and raise ethical and moral concerns. Many people argue that active euthanasia is morally unacceptable because it involves intentionally taking a life, while others believe that it can be justified in certain situations, such as when a person is suffering from unbearable pain and has no hope of recovery.

Passive euthanasia is often seen as more acceptable because it allows a person to die naturally and peacefully, without the need for aggressive medical interventions that may cause unnecessary suffering.

However, some people argue that withholding or withdrawing medical treatment can also be morally problematic, particularly if the person is not able to make their own decisions about their care.

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What is the current legal status of medically assisted dying in the UK?

Euthanasia is currently illegal across the UK, and doctors who performed the procedure would be prosecuted and potentially sentenced to prison. Assisted suicide is also illegal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and whilst there is no specific law against it in Scotland, other laws make it de facto illegal and it is not performed.

Additionally, it is illegal for doctors to provide patients with information about other ways to access euthanasia or assisted dying, such as travelling to countries where it is legal.

In Scotland, Liam McArthur MSP introduced the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. It passed its first parliamentary vote (Stage 1) in May 2025 and remains under scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, on a separate track from the Westminster bill.

Charities such as Friends at the End advocate for assisted dying and are involved in pushing forward this bill in Scotland. Similar bills have been proposed and rejected by the parliament before, and it is expected that regardless of the result this bill will be the subject of a very close battle.

If the bill were to be passed, it is likely that only a small handful of doctors would be licensed to assist a patient in dying.

Assisted Dying Bill 2024: What You Need to Know

In 2024, the Assisted Dying Bill was introduced in the UK Parliament, sparking intense debate about the future of end-of-life care. The proposed legislation seeks to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales, granting patients greater autonomy over their final moments while including stringent safeguards to address ethical concerns.

What Does the Bill Propose?

The Assisted Dying Bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would allow terminally ill adults who are expected to die within six months to legally end their lives.

Key conditions include:

• Eligibility: Patients must be over 18, residents of England or Wales for at least a year, and registered with a GP.
• Mental Capacity: Patients must demonstrate a clear, informed, and voluntary wish to die, free from coercion or external pressure.
• Approval Process: Two independent doctors must confirm eligibility. The Bill’s original High Court judge safeguard was replaced during its passage with an independent multidisciplinary panel (including a senior legal member, a psychiatrist and a social worker), overseen by a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner.
• Administration: Patients would self-administer the prescribed medication, ensuring that no doctor or other individual directly ends their life.

The process is designed to balance patient autonomy with robust protections, ensuring that only those who meet strict criteria can access assisted dying.

Why Is This Bill Being Proposed?

Advocates for the bill argue that current laws force some terminally ill individuals to endure prolonged suffering.

Leadbeater emphasised that even the best palliative care cannot alleviate all pain and that offering patients the choice to die with dignity is a compassionate solution.

Campaigners point to cases where individuals have travelled abroad to access assisted dying services, often in distressing and expensive circumstances, as evidence of the need for change.

What Are the Safeguards?

The proposed law includes some of the strictest safeguards in the world.

It would be a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison, to pressure or coerce someone into choosing assisted dying.

Healthcare professionals who object to participating in the process would not be compelled to do so, reflecting a neutral stance from organisations like the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing.

Public and Professional Reactions

The bill has divided opinion among the public, politicians, and healthcare professionals. Supporters, including groups like Dignity in Dying, argue that the proposal prioritises compassion, autonomy, and safety.

Critics, such as disability-rights advocates and campaigners like Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, warn that legalising assisted dying could expose vulnerable people to coercion and undermine efforts to improve palliative care.

Comparisons with International Laws

The proposed legislation resembles laws in Oregon, USA, where assisted dying has been legal since 1997 for terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less. However, it is more restrictive than laws in countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, which allow euthanasia for individuals experiencing unbearable suffering, including non-terminal conditions.

Assisted Dying Bill 2024

On 29 November 2024, MPs voted 330 to 275 in favour of the Bill at its second reading, marking a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales.

The debate saw emotional contributions from both sides, with supporters emphasising autonomy and compassion and critics warning of risks to vulnerable individuals.

The Bill then progressed through its committee stage and passed its Commons third reading in June 2025, before going to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

Despite this progress, the Bill ultimately ran out of time in the House of Lords and fell in April 2026, so it did not become law and assisted dying remains illegal.

What’s Next?

After clearing the Commons in June 2025, the Bill moved to the House of Lords, where it attracted more than 1,200 amendments and could not complete its stages before the session ended.

Because it did not finish its passage, the Bill fell on 24 April 2026 and did not become law. Assisted dying therefore remains illegal in England and Wales.

Campaigners on both sides expect the issue to return to Parliament. For interviews, the focus remains on balancing safeguards for vulnerable people against the autonomy and dignity of terminally ill patients – and on showing you can argue both sides.

What are the arguments for euthanasia and assisted dying?

There are numerous arguments in favour of medically assisted dying, and one article does not have enough space to cover all of them. However, some of the main ones are:

1. Dignity: It would allow patients who are suffering to have a say in when they die and avoid the pain that often comes at the end of terminal illnesses such as cancer and end-stage organ failure.
2. Autonomy: Patients have a right to decide what happens to their own bodies and in their own lives, including when that life should end. Doctors are there to facilitate a patient’s wishes.
3. Safety: Some patients, in places such as the UK where assisted dying, is illegal, may commit unassisted suicide which can be more traumatic and dangerous for them (if the attempt leaves them more disabled) and anyone who finds them. Assisted suicide would prevent this.

What are the arguments against euthanasia and assisted dying?

Similarly, there are plenty of arguments against medically assisted dying. Here are some of the main ones:

1. Sanctity of life: Many people believe life to be sacred, either for religious or non-religious reasons. Therefore, life should never be intentionally ended.
2. Slippery slope: It could be hard to determine who can and can’t get euthanasia, which means that some people could be euthanised when it is not in their best interests even if they want it.
3. Doctors playing God: Doctors are there to help and heal, not to kill. Some people believe that these laws would give doctors far too much power.

Summary

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Who would be eligible for assisted dying, and what about mental illness?

One of the key aspects of euthanasia to consider is who would be eligible for it. In particular, aspects to consider include:

• How many doctors should have to agree that this is in the patient’s best interests, they are of sound mind, and that they are terminally ill with a low life expectancy?
• Should this be limited to patients who are terminally ill?
• What about patients who write advance directives about wishing for assisted death, even if they do not have the capacity to consent later on?
• Should this be limited to patients with physical illnesses, or also be allowed for patients with mental illness?

The latter question is becoming increasingly relevant in ethical discussions surrounding assisted death.

Of the 2656 people who died from physician-assisted suicide last year in Belgium, 57 gave their primary reason as mental rather than physical illness. Canada has also sparked debate with its decision to allow the procedure for people with psychiatric disorders. The BBC published an article about a woman named Aurelia Brouwers who received assisted suicide after a long battle with mental illness.

Some people believe that people with these illnesses also deserve the autonomy to decide to end their life, especially after trying all possible treatment options. Others think that the lack of terminality of these illnesses, combined with murky waters surrounding patients’ capacity to consent, means that this should not be allowed.

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Where in the world is euthanasia legal? (Countries that allow euthanasia)

Euthanasia is legal in the following countries:

• Belgium
• Canada
• Colombia
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Switzerland

In addition, assisted dying is legal in the following US states:

• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Montana (through a court ruling)
• New Jersey
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Washington

It is important to note that the laws and regulations surrounding euthanasia and assisted dying can vary greatly between different countries and regions, and they may be subject to change over time.

Top tips for Medicine Interview Questions on Euthanasia

You could get questions about any of the above topics, or dying more generally, in your medical school interviews. Some top tips to consider are:

1. Be aware of the current law and show off your knowledge about how it is changing, especially in Scotland.
2. Think about weaving multiple topics together. If you are asked about the capacity to consent, for instance, you may also want to consider how this links to questions surrounding assisted dying for patients with mental illnesses.
3. Show both sides of the argument. This is a topic where a lot of people have strong views on both sides, and it’s important to be respectful of that. Bear in mind that the British Medical Association is neutral on euthanasia.

👉🏻 Read more: MMI Medicine Interview Tips Guide

Example Medicine Interview Questions and Answers on Euthanasia

Q: Do you support the proposed bill that would legalise assisted dying in Scotland?

Answer 1 (Yes): Ultimately, the question of assisted death is incredibly complex and there are very valid arguments on both sides. Personally, I would support this bill.

I believe that the purpose of medicine is to allow people autonomy over their own lives and to facilitate their ability to live as they wish. This, for me, includes control over dying. In particular, I think that the choice to end your life with dignity, avoiding suffering, is valid and something that we should assist with. It would also prevent patients from feeling as though they have to take their own lives instead, which can be riskier, more traumatic, and less dignified.

I understand concerns that the bill could lead to patients being assisted to die who do not really need this, however, I believe that this can be safeguarded against. For instance, we could have firm rules on which patients are eligible and ensure that multiple doctors have to agree before the procedure takes place.

This is definitely a tough ethical issue and something that I’d like to read more about, but I do support the proposed bill to legalise assisted death in Scotland.

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Answer 2 (No): Ultimately, the question of assisted dying is incredibly complex and there are very valid arguments on both sides. Personally, however, I would not support this bill.

I believe that medicine should be about improving patients’ lives - both increasing the amount and quality of time that they have. Given this, I don’t think that assisted dying is ever the answer - instead, it’s important to focus on palliative care and pain relief. Even if there are some cases where these options may not be successful, this is worth it to stop the cases of unnecessary patient death that would arise.

I do understand arguments that this is necessary for patients to maintain dignity and practice autonomy, but there are plenty of procedures that we don’t offer to patients because we deem them not to be in their best interests. This is just one more case like that.

This is definitely a tough ethical issue and something that I’d like to read more about, but I do not support the proposed bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.

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Medical Interview Euthanasia and Assisted Dying Questions

1. What is the difference in definition between euthanasia and assisted dying?
2. What do you understand about the debate surrounding the assisted dying bill?
3. Do you think it is right that doctors are not allowed to give patients information about how to travel to countries where euthanasia is legal?
4. Should euthanasia be allowed for patients with mental illnesses?
5. If euthanasia were legalised, how should it be implemented?
6. What happened with the Assisted Dying Bill vote in 2024? What was its significance?
7. What are the pros and cons of assisted dying in the UK?
8. What types of patients, if any, do you think should be eligible for euthanasia?
9. Imagine that you are a GP and a patient comes to you requesting euthanasia. They are suffering from terminal metastatic lung cancer and are expected to only have a few months left to live. How would you respond to this?
10. If euthanasia were to be legalised, which types of doctors should perform it?

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Conclusion

Overall, euthanasia and assisted dying questions can provide a valuable opportunity to reflect on the ethical challenges that can arise in medicine and to demonstrate your ability to think critically about these issues.