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We have a neutral position on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed, reflecting our members’ differing views on the issue.  

The Scottish Bill included a key role for registered nurses and so we worked to ensure the proposals included the necessary safeguards to protect nurses and the nursing profession. 

RCN Scotland secured 37 separate changes to the Bill at Stage 2 and a further ten changes at Stage 3 were a direct result of RCN influencing. These changes strengthened the protections for nursing staff, both those who want to participate and those who do not, in the final Bill that MSPs voted against on Tuesday 17 March. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The RCN remains neutral on whether the law on assisted dying should be changed, reflecting the diverse views of our members. However, as the legislation involves a key role for registered nurses, we have worked to influence the final Bill on several key areas to ensure it includes the necessary safeguards to protect nurses and the nursing profession.

The role of nurses in assisted dying differs across countries with the equivalent legislation. demonstrates that, over time, nurses have become increasingly involved in assisted dying services. found that nurses are more likely to participate in assisted dying than medical practitioners. 

Because the Bill was not passed by the Scottish Parliament, the current law remains. This means it is possible in Scotland to be prosecuted for offences such as murder or culpable homicide for assisting the death of another person. Proposals to legalise assisted dying could be reintroduced during the next parliamentary term as a new Bill. This would require the full legislative process to be completed again. 

If a new Bill is introduced to the Scottish Parliament at some point in future, the role of registered nurses in the assisted dying process would not automatically be the same as the Bill that fell in March 2026.

We worked with MSPs from across political parties and the Bill’s sponsor, Liam McArthur MSP, to influence the Bill. We secured 37 separate changes to the Bill at Stage 2 and a further ten changes at Stage 3 were a direct result of RCN influencing. During the debates, MSPs acknowledged RCN Scotland for our work promoting the interest of our members.   

We recognise that many members have serious concerns about the provision of palliative care and agree that there is a real and urgent need to improve access to palliative care across Scotland. In some parts of the country there are insufficient services to support people at the end of their lives. We have been clear that there requires to be further investment in these services.  RCN Scotland believes that, now the Bill has not passed, there must be urgent and sustained investment in palliative and end-of-life care.

RCN Scotland engaged with members through online briefings, surveys and events to gather views and share updates on the Bill’s progress through the Scottish Parliament.

• England and Wales: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, applies to England and Wales. It is likely that this Bill will run out of parliamentary time in the House of Lords. If that happens, the Bill will fall without ever having been formally voted down. A new Bill may well be introduced in the next parliamentary session. 
• Isle of Man and Jersey: Politicians on the Isle of Man and in Jersey have also debated the issue and agreed legislation which now needs Royal Assent to become law. 
• Northern Ireland and Guernsey: There is currently no legislation being developed for Northern Ireland or Guernsey. 

If you’d like to contribute your perspective on assisted dying, you can contact the RCN Scotland policy team directly by email.