Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

Debate between Baroness Coussins and Baroness Whitaker

Committee stage
Friday 30th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Coussins (CB)]

My Lords, if we are to have remote assessments, it is very important that we have an exception for one group of people who might be seeking assisted dying: those who require the services of a public service interpreter. Elsewhere in the Bill, the provision of interpreters is acknowledged and provided for. This is one situation where face-to-face consultations are essential. During Covid, there was a huge rise in remote interpreting in the criminal justice system. A number of studies, including a very robust piece of research by the Magistrates’ Association, showed that there were problems with remote interpreting, for reasons ranging from dodgy technology to missed cues because of missed body language.

In these circumstances, more than anything else, a face-to-face consultation or assessment is right and appropriate, where the services of a public service interpreter are needed for the benefit of the person seeking help.

[Baroness Whitaker (Lab)]

My Lords, that provision is in the Bill, if the noble Baroness would just look. I am afraid that I cannot put my finger on the actual clause, but the assessing doctor is required to provide interpreters where necessary.