Talking about assisted dying and suicide in palliative care
Please be aware - this information is for healthcare professionals.
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Some people with a terminal illness have thoughts about wanting to end their life (suicidal thoughts) – for some this is part of a range of feelings they have about their life and for others it’s a more serious wish that they want to act on.
Some people might ask professionals involved in their care or a family or friend to help them end their life. This is called assisted dying and it is against the law in the UK.
On this page:
How can I support someone who is having suicidal thoughts?
If the person is having thoughts about suicide or assisted dying, try to listen to them without judgement. Find out if there are any particular concerns that you or another professional can help them with. For example, whether they are worried about pain or other symptoms that you can help with.
If they ask about assisted dying, tell them that you can’t do anything that would help to end their life and you can’t provide information that would help them to do this.
Sharing information
If you’re worried that someone may want to end their life, you should tell the other professionals involved in their care.
It can be helpful to get more information from the people close to them such as family and friends. Some people may not want you to share information with their families. You should consider what is in the person’s best interests.
Even when a person doesn’t want you to tell their family and friends how they feel, you can still listen to what their friends and family say. And you can share information with them in what to do in a crisis. You can tell them to call the emergency services if they think the person is at imminent risk of suicide.
What other support is available?
If you’re worried that someone wants to end their life, you should tell the other professionals involved in their care.
Encourage them to see their GP, who may refer them to a counsellor and can prescribe medicines to help with their mood if necessary. They can also contact support organisations such as Samaritans on 116 123.
Tell their GP, and any other professionals involved in their care. Document the conversation you’ve had with the patient and who you’ve told about it.
If you believe the patient is at imminent risk of suicide, you should contact emergency services and stay with the patient until they arrive.
You should follow any local and national guidelines on assisted dying, including the Royal College of Nursing guidance: When someone asks for your assistance to die .
Useful Resources
NICE Clinical Guideline: Care of dying adults in the last days of life
Royal College of Nursing guidance: When someone asks for your assistance to die
Key points
- Some people with a terminal illness may have thoughts about wanting to end their lives.
- Some people might ask you to help them end their lives. This is called assisted dying and is illegal in the UK.
- If you’re concerned that someone wants to end their life, ask for help.
- You should follow local and national guidelines on what to do if someone wants to end their life.
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Disclaimer
This information is not intended to replace any training, national or local guidelines, or advice from other health or social care professionals.
The Palliative Care Knowledge Zone is not intended for use by people living with a terminal illness or their family and friends, who should access our information for the public.
