Claud Regnard
@claudregnard.bsky.social
Claud Regnard (Palliative Medicine doctor & bodhran player): constantly curious, pleasurably puzzled and enthusiastically energetic (except for exercise).
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Claud Regnard
@claudregnard.bsky.social
· Nov 29
Divisive debate on #AssistedDying has been like a doubles tennis match:
2 players have hurled balls regardless how they hit or hurt,
But other 2 players close to the net have started talking to each other.
Time to find a safer assisted dying model.
See kadoh.uk
2 players have hurled balls regardless how they hit or hurt,
But other 2 players close to the net have started talking to each other.
Time to find a safer assisted dying model.
See kadoh.uk
No mention in this article that the assisted death bill was
-drafted in less than 4 weeks,
-primarily based on misinformation from campaign groups
-ignored major organisations and expert opinion
-repeatedly rejected safeguards
Peers now have to do the work that should have been done before.
-drafted in less than 4 weeks,
-primarily based on misinformation from campaign groups
-ignored major organisations and expert opinion
-repeatedly rejected safeguards
Peers now have to do the work that should have been done before.
I'm honoured that Kim Leadbetter MP, sponsor of the Assisted Dying legislation, has liked my Twitter post about my Substack article on why the unelected House of Lords must face consequences if it talks out the Bill and it falls.
Read it, here:
open.substack.com/pub/mathewhu...
Read it, here:
open.substack.com/pub/mathewhu...
February 4, 2026 at 9:43 AM
No mention in this article that the assisted death bill was
-drafted in less than 4 weeks,
-primarily based on misinformation from campaign groups
-ignored major organisations and expert opinion
-repeatedly rejected safeguards
Peers now have to do the work that should have been done before.
-drafted in less than 4 weeks,
-primarily based on misinformation from campaign groups
-ignored major organisations and expert opinion
-repeatedly rejected safeguards
Peers now have to do the work that should have been done before.
Reposted by Claud Regnard
they came for disabled people too, both by making it even harder for us to claim benefits but also by allowing assisted dying legislation with pathetic safeguards to be pursued knowing that it will lead to disabled people being pressured into dying.
February 4, 2026 at 8:36 AM
they came for disabled people too, both by making it even harder for us to claim benefits but also by allowing assisted dying legislation with pathetic safeguards to be pursued knowing that it will lead to disabled people being pressured into dying.
If only the same determination for assisted deaths was applied to the access to specialist palliative care ....
www.pallcarevic.asn.au/news/96/fund...
www.pallcarevic.asn.au/news/96/fund...
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
If only the same determination for assisted deaths was applied to the access to specialist palliative care ....
www.pallcarevic.asn.au/news/96/fund...
www.pallcarevic.asn.au/news/96/fund...
A badly drafted law demands scrutiny.
A poorly considered process requires questions.
A rushed affair creates dangers.
Peers are doing their best to protect patients from harm.
A poorly considered process requires questions.
A rushed affair creates dangers.
Peers are doing their best to protect patients from harm.
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Baroness Grey-Thompson, Lord Carlile of Berriew, Baroness Coffey, Lord Goodman of Wycombe, Lord Sandhurst, and Lord Shinkwin.
These so called lords (sic) are blocking the assisted dying bill . These people should be ashamed.
These so called lords (sic) are blocking the assisted dying bill . These people should be ashamed.
February 3, 2026 at 6:35 PM
A badly drafted law demands scrutiny.
A poorly considered process requires questions.
A rushed affair creates dangers.
Peers are doing their best to protect patients from harm.
A poorly considered process requires questions.
A rushed affair creates dangers.
Peers are doing their best to protect patients from harm.
Incorrect.
The assisted death rates in Oregon and other states are rising rapidly
&
The eligibility requirements are also expanding (often by changes in practice rather than law changes)
The assisted death rates in Oregon and other states are rising rapidly
&
The eligibility requirements are also expanding (often by changes in practice rather than law changes)
February 3, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Incorrect.
The assisted death rates in Oregon and other states are rising rapidly
&
The eligibility requirements are also expanding (often by changes in practice rather than law changes)
The assisted death rates in Oregon and other states are rising rapidly
&
The eligibility requirements are also expanding (often by changes in practice rather than law changes)
Dame Elizabeth Gardner describes how she drafted the assisted suicide bill in <4weeks
"on a shoestring".
No wonder the House of Lords is forced to scrutinise it.
⏩
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
"on a shoestring".
No wonder the House of Lords is forced to scrutinise it.
⏩
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
Assisted dying bill: Special series #2 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 71
In this special episode we have an exclusive conversation with Dame Elizabeth Gardiner, the former head of the government’s Office of Parliamentary Counsel, who drafted the Terminally Ill Adults (End ...
www.hansardsociety.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Dame Elizabeth Gardner describes how she drafted the assisted suicide bill in <4weeks
"on a shoestring".
No wonder the House of Lords is forced to scrutinise it.
⏩
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
"on a shoestring".
No wonder the House of Lords is forced to scrutinise it.
⏩
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
What's in a name?
The Swiss have 80yrs experience of providing assisted deaths.
They are clear.
They call it assisted suicide.
They are also clear it is not a medical treatment.
www.samw.ch/en/Ethics/To...
The Swiss have 80yrs experience of providing assisted deaths.
They are clear.
They call it assisted suicide.
They are also clear it is not a medical treatment.
www.samw.ch/en/Ethics/To...
Assisted suicide
SAMS – Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
www.samw.ch
February 3, 2026 at 1:55 PM
What's in a name?
The Swiss have 80yrs experience of providing assisted deaths.
They are clear.
They call it assisted suicide.
They are also clear it is not a medical treatment.
www.samw.ch/en/Ethics/To...
The Swiss have 80yrs experience of providing assisted deaths.
They are clear.
They call it assisted suicide.
They are also clear it is not a medical treatment.
www.samw.ch/en/Ethics/To...
Assisted dying/suicide and palliative care:
There is no choice when more than 300 people every day in the UK can't access the specialist palliative care they desperately need.
[HospiceUK estimate in 2017- likely to be higher today]
There is no choice when more than 300 people every day in the UK can't access the specialist palliative care they desperately need.
[HospiceUK estimate in 2017- likely to be higher today]
February 2, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Assisted dying/suicide and palliative care:
There is no choice when more than 300 people every day in the UK can't access the specialist palliative care they desperately need.
[HospiceUK estimate in 2017- likely to be higher today]
There is no choice when more than 300 people every day in the UK can't access the specialist palliative care they desperately need.
[HospiceUK estimate in 2017- likely to be higher today]
Reposted by Claud Regnard
Improving end of life care will be challenging when every day >300 people can't access specialist palliative care.
Unfortunately the evidence is that #AssistedDying doesn't improve end of life care.
Unfortunately the evidence is that #AssistedDying doesn't improve end of life care.
November 22, 2024 at 11:55 PM
Improving end of life care will be challenging when every day >300 people can't access specialist palliative care.
Unfortunately the evidence is that #AssistedDying doesn't improve end of life care.
Unfortunately the evidence is that #AssistedDying doesn't improve end of life care.
Reposted by Claud Regnard
Whatever the public's view on legalising #AssistedDying it comes last on their priorities for this government.
November 22, 2024 at 11:59 PM
Whatever the public's view on legalising #AssistedDying it comes last on their priorities for this government.
Peers keep finding major flaws in the assisted dying/suicide bill.
Those problems started with minimal drafting and scrutiny in the Commons.
Those problems started with minimal drafting and scrutiny in the Commons.
February 2, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Peers keep finding major flaws in the assisted dying/suicide bill.
Those problems started with minimal drafting and scrutiny in the Commons.
Those problems started with minimal drafting and scrutiny in the Commons.
The careful scrutiny by the house of lords of the assisted dying/suicide bill is being described as "constitutional vandalism".
The real damage was done by
-drafting major law in less than 4wks
-failing to listen to evidence expressing concerns
-excluding many orgs & groups
The real damage was done by
-drafting major law in less than 4wks
-failing to listen to evidence expressing concerns
-excluding many orgs & groups
February 2, 2026 at 7:55 PM
The careful scrutiny by the house of lords of the assisted dying/suicide bill is being described as "constitutional vandalism".
The real damage was done by
-drafting major law in less than 4wks
-failing to listen to evidence expressing concerns
-excluding many orgs & groups
The real damage was done by
-drafting major law in less than 4wks
-failing to listen to evidence expressing concerns
-excluding many orgs & groups
Reposted by Claud Regnard
Labour peer just let slip he thinks poor people should be allowed to use assisted dying www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
Labour peer just let slip he thinks poor people should be allowed to use assisted dying
When you're so determined to push through an assisted dying bill that will kill so many, what's a few benefit scroungers anyway?
www.thecanary.co
January 20, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Labour peer just let slip he thinks poor people should be allowed to use assisted dying www.thecanary.co/uk/analysis/...
Reposted by Claud Regnard
3/n And while the Commons did support the assisted dying bill at third reading, there were a lot of reservations and the margin was only 314-291.
Taking all this together, to threaten use of the Parliament Act to bludgeon it through, feels more undemocratic than the Lords blocking it, for now.
Taking all this together, to threaten use of the Parliament Act to bludgeon it through, feels more undemocratic than the Lords blocking it, for now.
January 29, 2026 at 10:25 AM
3/n And while the Commons did support the assisted dying bill at third reading, there were a lot of reservations and the margin was only 314-291.
Taking all this together, to threaten use of the Parliament Act to bludgeon it through, feels more undemocratic than the Lords blocking it, for now.
Taking all this together, to threaten use of the Parliament Act to bludgeon it through, feels more undemocratic than the Lords blocking it, for now.
Reposted by Claud Regnard
I support the principle of assisted dying. I think bringing it in through this kind of flawed process is a recipe for disaster. I think attacking the legitimacy of the Lords as convened is just confused and counterproductive. This is a result of the choice to do this through PMB. Own it. 6/?
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
I support the principle of assisted dying. I think bringing it in through this kind of flawed process is a recipe for disaster. I think attacking the legitimacy of the Lords as convened is just confused and counterproductive. This is a result of the choice to do this through PMB. Own it. 6/?
Reposted by Claud Regnard
Assisted dying isn’t a manifesto pledge. It isn’t even a government bill. Lords are entitled to do their job on such bill.
More than that, private members’ bills have limited time for debate and amendment. That’s why people flagged from the beginning it might be a bad way to pass this reform. 2/?
More than that, private members’ bills have limited time for debate and amendment. That’s why people flagged from the beginning it might be a bad way to pass this reform. 2/?
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Assisted dying isn’t a manifesto pledge. It isn’t even a government bill. Lords are entitled to do their job on such bill.
More than that, private members’ bills have limited time for debate and amendment. That’s why people flagged from the beginning it might be a bad way to pass this reform. 2/?
More than that, private members’ bills have limited time for debate and amendment. That’s why people flagged from the beginning it might be a bad way to pass this reform. 2/?
Reposted by Claud Regnard
The accusation that the Lords are “obstructing democracy” by supporters of the assisted dying bill is a ridiculous one that shows up the flaws in this process that have been there from the very beginning – which have repeatedly been covered up by heated rhetoric (1/?)
February 1, 2026 at 11:54 AM
The accusation that the Lords are “obstructing democracy” by supporters of the assisted dying bill is a ridiculous one that shows up the flaws in this process that have been there from the very beginning – which have repeatedly been covered up by heated rhetoric (1/?)
Living wills are useful expressions of future care if someone loses capacity, but they are not legal documents.
In contrast, an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) has legal authority if valid & applicable, but..
...nothing in case law allows an individual to demand future care options.
In contrast, an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) has legal authority if valid & applicable, but..
...nothing in case law allows an individual to demand future care options.
He’s spot on. Living wills are going to be so important. I don’t want our children to go through the pain and trauma of having a parent with Dementia.
February 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Living wills are useful expressions of future care if someone loses capacity, but they are not legal documents.
In contrast, an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) has legal authority if valid & applicable, but..
...nothing in case law allows an individual to demand future care options.
In contrast, an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) has legal authority if valid & applicable, but..
...nothing in case law allows an individual to demand future care options.
This is understandable but unworkable for assisted dying/suicide:
1) Only those with capacity are eligible
2) Current case law is clear, you can refuse future care options, but you can't demand future options.
3) Allowing advance requests for AD/S creates dangers of bias and abuse.
1) Only those with capacity are eligible
2) Current case law is clear, you can refuse future care options, but you can't demand future options.
3) Allowing advance requests for AD/S creates dangers of bias and abuse.
February 2, 2026 at 6:03 PM
This is understandable but unworkable for assisted dying/suicide:
1) Only those with capacity are eligible
2) Current case law is clear, you can refuse future care options, but you can't demand future options.
3) Allowing advance requests for AD/S creates dangers of bias and abuse.
1) Only those with capacity are eligible
2) Current case law is clear, you can refuse future care options, but you can't demand future options.
3) Allowing advance requests for AD/S creates dangers of bias and abuse.
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why over 300 every day in the UK cannot access the specialist palliative care they desperately need
❓ Why specialist palliative care services in AD jurisdictions have their funding stalled or reduced
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why over 300 every day in the UK cannot access the specialist palliative care they desperately need
❓ Why specialist palliative care services in AD jurisdictions have their funding stalled or reduced
September 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why over 300 every day in the UK cannot access the specialist palliative care they desperately need
❓ Why specialist palliative care services in AD jurisdictions have their funding stalled or reduced
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why over 300 every day in the UK cannot access the specialist palliative care they desperately need
❓ Why specialist palliative care services in AD jurisdictions have their funding stalled or reduced
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why every AD jurisdiction has expanded its criteria (inc. Oregon)
❓ Why there was more evidence on thalidomide than exists on AD drugs/doses
❓ Why AD reports contain so little data and why some produce nothing (eg. Dignitas)
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why every AD jurisdiction has expanded its criteria (inc. Oregon)
❓ Why there was more evidence on thalidomide than exists on AD drugs/doses
❓ Why AD reports contain so little data and why some produce nothing (eg. Dignitas)
September 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why every AD jurisdiction has expanded its criteria (inc. Oregon)
❓ Why there was more evidence on thalidomide than exists on AD drugs/doses
❓ Why AD reports contain so little data and why some produce nothing (eg. Dignitas)
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ Why every AD jurisdiction has expanded its criteria (inc. Oregon)
❓ Why there was more evidence on thalidomide than exists on AD drugs/doses
❓ Why AD reports contain so little data and why some produce nothing (eg. Dignitas)
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ How many cases of suffering are caused by inadequate or ignorant care
❓ About the impact of AD on a stretched & exhausted NHS
❓ Why no AD drug has ever been approved by any regulatory authority in the world
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ How many cases of suffering are caused by inadequate or ignorant care
❓ About the impact of AD on a stretched & exhausted NHS
❓ Why no AD drug has ever been approved by any regulatory authority in the world
September 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ How many cases of suffering are caused by inadequate or ignorant care
❓ About the impact of AD on a stretched & exhausted NHS
❓ Why no AD drug has ever been approved by any regulatory authority in the world
The HoL may wish to ask
❓ How many cases of suffering are caused by inadequate or ignorant care
❓ About the impact of AD on a stretched & exhausted NHS
❓ Why no AD drug has ever been approved by any regulatory authority in the world
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL might want to question why
❓2 isolated docs assess requests without monitoring or consultation
❓ Drugs approved by a minister, not UK regulatory authority
❓ Specialist palliative care not a requirement
❓ Unclear on capacity, scrutiny eligibility & law.
The HoL might want to question why
❓2 isolated docs assess requests without monitoring or consultation
❓ Drugs approved by a minister, not UK regulatory authority
❓ Specialist palliative care not a requirement
❓ Unclear on capacity, scrutiny eligibility & law.
September 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Assisted dying bill:
The HoL might want to question why
❓2 isolated docs assess requests without monitoring or consultation
❓ Drugs approved by a minister, not UK regulatory authority
❓ Specialist palliative care not a requirement
❓ Unclear on capacity, scrutiny eligibility & law.
The HoL might want to question why
❓2 isolated docs assess requests without monitoring or consultation
❓ Drugs approved by a minister, not UK regulatory authority
❓ Specialist palliative care not a requirement
❓ Unclear on capacity, scrutiny eligibility & law.
This helpful discussion on the
Medical Assisted Dying bill
was censored by YouTube.
Watch & repost.
x.com/Togetherdec/...
Medical Assisted Dying bill
was censored by YouTube.
Watch & repost.
x.com/Togetherdec/...
May 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This helpful discussion on the
Medical Assisted Dying bill
was censored by YouTube.
Watch & repost.
x.com/Togetherdec/...
Medical Assisted Dying bill
was censored by YouTube.
Watch & repost.
x.com/Togetherdec/...
A panel whose only job will be to tick box the assessments of 2 isolated doctors with no monitoring at any point.
Not rigorous or safe
Not rigorous or safe
Replacing the High Court judge with a multidisciplinary panel is a welcome improvement. It has the potential to make assisted dying decisions more efficient and accessible while strengthening already rigorous safeguards.
humanists.uk/2025/03/13/a...
humanists.uk/2025/03/13/a...
Assisted Dying Bill: MPs vote to replace High Court with multidisciplinary panels
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Committee has voted to remove the required High Court approval for assisted deaths, which will be replaced with oversight from a panel of legal, medical, a...
humanists.uk
March 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
A panel whose only job will be to tick box the assessments of 2 isolated doctors with no monitoring at any point.
Not rigorous or safe
Not rigorous or safe