Anna Dixon MP for the Shipley constituency - which includes Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale - sought the views of constituents and experts by organising a local roundtable discussion on assisted dying.

The Member of Parliament invited healthcare workers, caregivers, and professionals from both her constituency and the broader Bradford district to the Kirkgate Community Centre in Shipley on Friday to share their views on the topic ahead of the assisted dying bill’s introduction into the House of Commons for the first time on Friday this week.

MPs have been given a free vote on the officially titled ‘Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’, meaning they are encouraged to vote with their conscience and are not bound by any party whip.

Ms Dixon, who remains undecided on the issue, organised the event to further improve her understanding of local opinion on the issue.

Attendees at the roundtable included staff members from Sue Ryder hospice, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Grange Park Surgery and Healthwatch Bradford and District.

At the event, opinions both for and against the introduction of the bill were shared, as well as the uncertainty of implementing assisted dying, the nuance in public opinion, and intricate issues around the nature of consent and how to best ensure patient safety.

Victoria Ali, the Lead Nurse for Palliative Care at the Bradford Teaching Hospital, said of Ms Dixon’s roundtable: “I would like to thank Anna for hosting and putting together today’s discussion.

“It is refreshing to have an MP who is willing to listen to the opinions of the people in their local area in this way - particularly when it regards an issue as emotive and complex as assisted dying.

“This is something that affects everyone across healthcare, and it was really valuable to hear a wide variety of opinions from people from both palliative and non-palliative care backgrounds.”

Anna Dixon MP said: “I would like to thank everyone who was able to make it to our discussion today; it was valuable and insightful to hear such a wide range of opinions on this complicated issue.

“Votes that could lead to such a significant social change do not come along very often, so it is crucial that we, as MPs, do everything we can to listen to as many experts and constituents as possible to ensure we get this decision right.

“Hearing everyone today open up about this topic in such a respectful and informed way, with opinions both in favour and against, just demonstrates how important this topic is to people.

“When it comes to the time to vote on this bill in Parliament, I am still undecided on which way I will go, but I will certainly consider everything I have heard today when I make that decision.”

The second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will begin in the House of Commons on Friday, November 29th.