Terminal Illness (Relief of Pain) Bill

Key Points

• Requires the Secretary of State to publish guidance on how criminal law applies to pain relief given by healthcare professionals to terminally ill patients.
• Aims to clarify what actions are lawful to relieve pain and when there could be criminal liability.
• Focused on compassionate palliative care to reduce unnecessary prosecutions or fear of prosecution for clinicians.
• Sponsorship by Sir Edward Leigh (Conservative); current stage is the 2nd Reading in the House of Commons.
• 'Connected purposes' signal related provisions or implementation steps beyond the core guidance.

Progress

The bill has completed its first reading and is at the second reading in the House of Commons (as of 12 September 2025); if it progresses, it would move on to later stages such as committee and further readings.