Doctors delivering these services lack a professional structure to support safe, consistent, well-governed practice. A professional home (community of practice) would provide a training framework, CPD programme, clinical leadership, and oversight.
Members of the Council of Medical Colleges (CMC) identified assisted dying services as similar to other pan-professional services with only a small number of participants from a range of colleges. We saw the need to better provide guidance and support to these doctors who currently lack a clear professional structure to support safe, consistent, and well-governed practice. We proposed the responsible Minister consider establishing a professional home – a community of practice - for assisted dying practitioners. This would provide a training framework, CPD, and accreditation relevant to their work, with clinical leadership and oversight. CMC intends to develop a position statement on assisted dying services in 2027, which will provide an opportunity for consultation within RACS.