Biography
Lord Macdonald of River Glaven has engaged with health and social care topics primarily through three debate speeches in the Lords. His contributions have focused on assisted dying and end-of-life care, notably stating in September 2025 that he had changed his position to support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, arguing that current arrangements are discriminatory, and drawing on his experience as Director of Public Prosecutions. His engagement reflects a substantive shift in his stance on a significant policy issue affecting palliative and end-of-life care provision.
Generated from their own Hansard record, below
“…These arrangements benefit one group by conferring upon them effective immunity from prosecution for assisted suicide and damage the rest by withholding that same immunity on what looks like an arbitrary basis.”
Record by topic
- Assisted dying277th of 3712.0
- Learning disability & autism756th of 8992.0
- Mental health750th of 8802.0
- Palliative & end of life care452nd of 5682.0
What they’ve said
“My Lords, I join others in welcoming the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Smith of Cluny, and congratulate her on both initiating this important debate and her wonderful maiden speech. I also welcome and congratulate the noble Baroness, Lady Laing of Elderslie, on her maiden speech.”
Rule of Law · 2024-11-26 · Read on Hansard ↗
“…Another third should be receiving therapeutic mental health and addiction interventions in the community, and the rest should be on proper rehabilitative community sentences. This watershed in prison overcrowding is a shared responsibility, and it is important to note this.”
King’s Speech · 2024-07-24 · Read on Hansard ↗
Contributions reproduced under the Open Parliament Licence.