Church of Scotland Leader Fears Assisted Suicide Could Be Viewed as an ‘Opportunity for Cost Saving’ by the NHS Because It Would Change the Way Vulnerable People Are Treated

Assisted dying could be seen as a cost-saving exercise if the practice was to be allowed in Scotland, a leading cleric has warned.

Rt Rev Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Church of Scotland, said he is concerned that letting terminally-ill patients legally end their lives would permanently change the NHS, particularly given how much pressure it is currently under.

‘Is this really the way we wish to see precious caring resources directed? Given the pressure on healthcare resources, we are also very concerned that assisted dying could be seen as providing an opportunity for cost saving,’ he told The Telegraph.

Rev Greenshields said passing such laws may open up a raft of unexpected challenges and sick or disabled people would start to be seen as burdensome.

‘The acceptance by society of legally-assisted dying profoundly changes relationships not only between health professionals and patients, but also within families,’ the church leader said.

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Source: Daily Mail