Event
Assisted dying: supporting clinicians through complex conversations
Our position on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
At Neurology Academy, we understand that the Terminally Ill Adult Bill presents sensitive and complex issues that touch on ethics, clinical practice, personal values, and the law. As we launch this educational resource for healthcare professionals, our aim is to support informed, thoughtful, and balanced understanding of the Bill and its potential implications for clinical care.
Neurology Academy does not advocate for or against the Bill. We hold a position of neutrality, recognising the diverse and deeply held views within the healthcare community and wider society. Our role is to provide evidence-based information and a platform for professional learning, reflection, and respectful dialogue.
As the UK Parliament considers the proposed Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, healthcare professionals are increasingly being called upon to engage with complex, emotionally charged and ethically nuanced issues around end-of-life care. In response, Neurology Academy is developing a two-part on demand education series to support clinicians. Part one, which has now been launched, focuses on understanding the evolving legal, ethical, spiritual, moral, and practical considerations surrounding assisted dying.
This resource is intended primarily for UK-based registered health and social care professionals, but is also available to colleagues internationally who are seeking to reflect on and understand this topic in light of evolving global practice.
Background to the course
The topic of assisted dying is once again at the forefront of national attention, with bills currently progressing through both the Scottish and UK Parliaments. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, in particular, has significant implications for clinical practice across the UK. As public discourse intensifies and legal reform becomes increasingly plausible, many healthcare professionals are seeking clarity, support and education to help them prepare for the potential changes ahead.
In this evolving landscape, Neurology Academy recognises the need to support clinicians – with balanced, factual and sensitive education. This on-demand series has been carefully developed to equip registered healthcare professionals with a clear understanding of the legal, ethical, moral and spiritual considerations involved in assisted dying, without advocating for or against the proposed legislation.
For many, these developments bring new uncertainties and anxieties: What might this mean for my role? How should I respond to patients' questions or requests? What safeguards are proposed? How do my professional responsibilities intersect with my personal beliefs?
This education has been created to help clinicians navigate those concerns with confidence and compassion. By grounding the series in expertise from medicine, palliative care, law, ethics and chaplaincy – as well as international practice – we aim to provide a calm, structured and respectful space to learn about the proposed legal changes and their potential implications for practice.
The focus is not on an adversarial debate, but on ensuring that healthcare professionals are informed, supported, and prepared – should these legislative changes come to pass. Whether you are directly involved in end-of-life care or simply seeking to understand your responsibilities as a clinician, this education offers timely, essential insight at a pivotal moment for UK healthcare.
Aims of the education
To provide clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, including its ethical, legal, moral and spiritual dimensions.
To explore the impact of assisted dying on patients, families and healthcare professionals, and to reflect on the implications for future clinical practice
To create a non-adversarial space for exploring issues around assisted dying, with the aim of promoting informed, compassionate healthcare.
Learning objectives
Offer insight into the complexities of assisted dying, providing essential background information and fostering informed, reflective discussion to support clinicians in their decision-making.
Deepen understanding of the clinical role within the context of this proposed legislation and how it may evolve.
Explore the practical, legal, ethical and moral considerations relevant to delivering care under this framework
Programme - last updated 23rd June 2025
Course overview
This educational program is designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions regarding the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Participants will gain an understanding of their role, the legal, ethical and spiritual considerations involved, and the broader implications for patients, carers, colleagues and themselves.
Module 1 is launching in June 2025, module 2 will follow in Autumn 2025.
Who is this education for?
This series is designed for registered health and social care professionals working across neurology, palliative care, elderly care, general practice, community, medicine, nursing, allied health and third sector organisations. Whether supportive, uncertain, or opposed to assisted dying, all participants are invited to engage with this content in an open, reflective and respectful manner.
By creating a space for education, dialogue and critical thinking, this resource aims to empower clinicians to navigate a changing legal and ethical environment with compassion, confidence and clarity.
Cost of the course
This is a free course for health and social care professionals and employees of third sector organisations. To apply, please complete our registration form, ensuring you register with an NHS email address or provide details of where you work within the NHS. We will manually verify your registration and aim to grant you access as soon as possible, but please bear with us while we process your account. You will be notified via email once the course has been approved on your profile dashboard.
International applicants
The course will cost £15 (incl. VAT) for international healthcare professionals. Please complete the registration form to apply. Once your place on the course is confirmed we will send you an invoice via email.
If any of the content discussed on this page has caused distress or raised concerns – we encourage you to access appropriate resources.
Members of the public may find guidance and emotional support through the NHS End of Life Care pages or by contacting the Marie Curie Support Line.
Healthcare professionals are encouraged to speak with their clinical supervisor, access their organisation’s wellbeing services, or seek confidential support via Practitioner Health.
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LoginSpeakers
Ruth StrossHead of nursing, Neurology Academy; RCN neuroscience forum committee member and MS Together trustee
Dr Ed RichfieldConsultant in elderly medicine, North Bristol NHS Trust
Dr Fiona ChiplenConsultant in Palliative medicine, Weston Hospicecare
Rev Andrew GoodheadLead Chaplain, St Christopher's Hospice & Visiting Lecturer, Kings College London
Prof Richard HuxtableProfessor of medical ethics and law, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
Heather RichardsonRegistered mental and general nurse, St Christopher's Hospice
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