Campaigners on approval of Assisted Dying Bill: 'It's been a long haul'

Under the provisions in the Assisted Dying Bill 2023, eligible adults over the age of 18 with a prognosis of 12 months or less to live - who've been resident on the Island for at least five years - will be given the right to choose to die.

The bill now needs to be signed and sent for Royal Assent, whereafter it will become law.

The wider health and social care framework will then need to be put into place to facilitate the practice here.

But for campaigners like Vicky Christian - who's Chair of the Isle of Man branch of My Death, My Decision - there's relief that the legislation has made it this far:

Vicky Christian (right) at demonstration outside the House of Keys, February 2025 - Credit: My Death, My Decision

Vicky mentioned there that people with illnesses like motor neurone disease would now be given hope that they could access an assisted death.

That would've made a difference for someone like Sue Biggerstaff's husband Simon, who died on 29 May 2022.

He could barely communicate in his last few weeks.

You can read more of his story HERE.

"If it's against your beliefs, don't do it. But don't take that choice away from anyone else." - Sue Biggerstaff

She told Siobhán Fletcher she was 'overwhelmed' in the Legislative Council chamber this week as she watched members vote in favour of the bill:

Sue Biggerstaff (with photo of late husband Simon) at demonstration outside the House of Keys - Credit: Dignity in Dying

It's not just the Isle of Man's legislation that's been in the international headlines this week.

Over in the UK, a proposed four-year delay to their bill has seen campaigners for terminally ill people there up in arms, saying they need 'dignity not delays'.

MPs are debating various amendments in a committee scrutinising the proposed law line-by-line.

Labour's Kim Leadbeater - who's behind the plans there - says she's reluctantly pushing back its introduction because it's 'important to do this properly'.