A need for a High Court judge to decide on assisted dying cases could be scrapped amid growing concerns over new legislation.
Psychiatrists and social workers are set to be involved in approving assisted dying applications under proposals aimed at improving safeguards under a new law.
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, is expected to bring forward amendments for a so-called “judge plus” system after hearing concerns during expert evidence sessions last month.
A group of 23 MPs is preparing to undertake line-by-line scrutiny of the proposed legislation from Tuesday, with the process expected to last weeks.
As it stands, the Bill could mean terminally ill adults in England and Wales with under six months to live are legally allowed to end their lives, subject to approval by two doctors and a High Court judge.
Ms Leadbeater had already argued the High Court approval element makes her proposed legislation the strictest in the world.
She has now proposed a judge-led Voluntary Assisted Dying Commission that she said would give a greater role for experts, including psychiatrists and social workers, in overseeing applications.
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