Biography
Lord Empey has engaged extensively with assisted dying legislation through 12 debate speeches, primarily during consideration of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, raising concerns about operational complexity, potential coercion within the NHS, and the impact on vulnerable groups including those with communication difficulties and dementia. He has also highlighted procedural concerns about the Bill's scrutiny and questioned the compatibility of assisted suicide provision with the NHS's traditional role in preserving life. His contributions reflect engagement across related health and social care topics including palliative care, elderly care, and mental health considerations within the context of end-of-life policy.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“…It does spread out, and of course that is not the only potential claim. There could be other mental health claims arising from the situation. So the Minister should perhaps reflect on this.”
Record by topic
- Assisted dying78th of 37110.0
- Palliative & end of life care198th of 5688.0
- Elderly care & frailty166th of 2362.0
- Learning disability & autism756th of 8992.0
- Maternity & neonatal363rd of 4382.0
- Mental health750th of 8802.0
- NHS & care workforce/staffing236th of 3022.0
- Dementia211th of 2512.0
What they’ve said
“…This group of amendments brings into sharp focus the sheer scale of the complexity of bringing assisted suicide into the NHS context. We have heard pleas from the movers of some of the amendments that specific provision be considered because of the needs of those with complex communication difficulties, including heari…”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-03-20 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…As things stand at the moment, there is no plan by the Northern Ireland Executive to introduce an assisted dying Bill, and there is no Private Member’s Bill currently in the Chamber. Some of these regulations would, in my view, cut across the role that is currently played by devolved Ministers and devolved departments.”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-03-13 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…In that regard, I draw the attention of the Committee to a debate on assisted dying that took place during the last iteration of this Bill, proposed by Lady Meacher, on 22 October 2021. This is the point I want to try to get across.”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-02-27 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…If we decide as a Parliament to make assisted dying, or whatever phrase one wishes to use, a legal activity, that does not necessarily mean that the National Health Service has to pay for it.”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-02-27 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…Committee that when we last discussed this subject on 22 October 2021, at the Second Reading of the Assisted Dying Bill that Baroness Meacher brought forward, her Private Member’s Bill had 10 pages and 13 clauses. The Bill before us has 51 pages and 59 clauses.”
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill · 2026-02-06 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.