Assisted suicide could be viewed as an ‘opportunity for cost saving’ by the NHS, church leader fears

Assisted dying could be seen as a cost saving exercise if laws were to be passed allowing the practice in Scotland, a reverend within the Church of Scotland warned.

Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the Church of Scotland, said he is concerned allowing terminally ill patients to legally end their own lives would permanently change the NHS, particularly given how much pressure it is currently under.

‘Is this really the way we wish to see precious caring resources directed? Given the pressure on healthcare resources, we are also very concerned that assisted dying could be seen as providing an opportunity for cost saving,’ he told The Telegraph.

Rev Greenshields said passing these laws could open up a raft of unexpected new challenges and society could begin to view sick or disabled people as burdensome. 

‘The acceptance by society of legally assisted dying profoundly changes relationships not only between health professionals and patients, but also within families,’ he said.

Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, who is the moderator of the Church of Scotland, warned allowing terminally ill patients to legally end their own lives would permanently change the NHS, particularly given how much pressure it is currently under

‘We are concerned that, should assisted dying be legalised, the way our society views older people and those with disabilities will, over time, become more utilitarian.’

Citing Canadian assisted dying laws, Rev Greenshields said even with strict conditions in place, opening the floodgates by passing any version of the law would likely result in later expansion. 

It is estimated assisted dying could reduce costs by up to £84 million per year, the publication reports. 

Advocates of assisted dying say it offers terminally ill patients a painless and fast alternative. 

There are concerns the overwhelmed NHS could see assisted dying as a cost saving exercise

A members bill is being introduced to Parliament in an attempt to introduce assisted dying.

And while it’s gaining momentum, two similar attempts have previously failed. 

The last vote to change the laws over assisted dying in the UK, which took place in 2015, was defeated by 300 votes to 118. 

In 2021, some 10,000 people used the assisted dying scheme.

The program has faced scrutiny amid claims that people are now seeking assisted suicide due to poverty and homelessness or mental anguish, as opposed to the traditional method of the terminally-ill seeking a painless death.