Doctors fear professional body has been hijacked by assisted suicide activists

DOCTORS fear that their professional body is being taken over by activists pushing for assisted dying, it was reported last night.

The controversy emerged as the Royal College of Physicians plans to ask members if they believe terminally ill patients should get help to end their lives.

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Unless there is a 60 per cent majority for or against assisted dying, the college will adopt a neutral position, which opponents argue would be “tacit support for assisted suicide”.

In a letter to The Times, two dozen doctors and academics said: “We are worried that this move represents a deliberate attempt by a minority on [the college’s governing council] to drop the college’s opposition to assisted suicide even if the majority of the membership vote to maintain it.”

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Helping someone to commit suicide is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Andrew Goddard, president of the college, said: “The Royal College of Physicians is frequently asked for its stance on this...so it is essential that we base this on an up-to-date understanding of our members’ and fellows’ views.

“Because doctors are divided, the RCP wants to ensure that we only hold a position one way or another if there is a clear majority...The RCP has not campaigned on this issue and has no plans to do so.”

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