**A Critical Crossroads: Over 900 Amendments Signal Intense Debate on Assisted Dying Bill**

In an unprecedented move, Members of the House of Lords have proposed 942 amendments to the controversial assisted dying bill, indicating a highly contentious debate ahead. The amendments emerged in response to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which successfully passed the House of Commons and is currently under rigorous scrutiny in the Lords. This bill seeks to permit terminally ill adults with a prognosis of less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, pending approval from two doctors and a panel including a social worker and a psychiatrist.

The sheer volume of amendments has raised eyebrows, with a coalition of 65 peers in support of the bill expressing concerns over potential delaying tactics employed by its opponents. Critics argue that significant changes are essential to ensure the bill’s safety and workability, with Baroness Luciana Berger among those seeking revisions, claiming, “This bill is full of holes which vulnerable people will fall through.”

Despite opposition, supporters like Baroness Rafferty and Lord Winston emphasize that the legislation has undergone unprecedented scrutiny and could provide vulnerable patients with a dignified end while enhancing protections. The bill is treated as a matter of conscience, allowing members to vote based on personal beliefs rather than party lines.

The upcoming discussion tackling the proposed changes will be notable not only for its potential implications for assisted dying in England and Wales but also for how it reflects the ongoing societal debate surrounding end-of-life choices. Approval from both Houses is critical before parliamentary sessions conclude in spring next year, and if enacted, there could be a considerable wait before the assisted dying framework is realized, potentially extending to 2029/30.