Background: Current proposals for assisted dying in the UK are based on embedding it within a medical, healthcare model. This model is revealing challenges in safeguarding, monitoring and the impact on healthcare.
Objective: To explore if a different model is a safer, pragmatic and realistic alternative.
Methods: Existing medical models of assisted dying are reviewed and previously suggested alternatives are considered. The option of a socio-legal model is explained and examined in detail, including costs and likely numbers.
Findings: The authors propose that a socio-legal, civil law model that sits outside of healthcare is the most socially nuanced and ethical mode of regulation.
Conclusions: A socio-legal model retains the choice to end life, but would ensure greater social safeguarding of vulnerable persons. It also enables healthcare professionals and organisations to focus on healing and care.
Keywords: End of life care.
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