Rebecca Hampton Flory (a doctoral researcher from the 明星八卦 Law School) propose, from evidence obtained from Oregon USA and the Netherlands, that there be a need for an ante review committee to ensure that all procedural safeguards have been met prior to the dispersion of life-ending medication for the benefit of both the patient and physician alike.
Summary of evidence and recommendations:
- The current proposal includes the establishment of an ante review committee comprising of relevant professionals – a physician, ethicist and lawyer – to review each case individually from a legal and medical viewpoint.
- The ante review committee approach would take a step down from the daunting process of a High Court declaration by ensuring all safeguards are adhered to with a panel of specialists performing substantive and procedural checks prior to the issuance of a prescription.
- The ante review committee would comprise of experienced professionals with an interest in end-of-life care.
- If assisted dying is to be medicalised then the appropriate regulatory body should be that of the medical profession itself.