A Government document seen by the Daily Mail sets out how GPs in England and Wales could be trained to help terminally ill patients end their lives if the assisted dying bill becomes law, ahead of a fresh Commons vote on the legislation next Friday. The plans, described as not yet finalised, matter because they offer the first detailed picture of how doctors would actually be prepared for a role that critics argue involves highly complex, life-and-death judgements, including assessing whether patients are being coerced.

The Department of Health and Social Care dossier proposes a 90-minute e-learning course and an hour-long interactive session for general awareness, with an option of a full day's in-person training for GPs wanting deeper knowledge. Doctors taking the more senior "coordinating doctor" role, which could involve explaining how the lethal drugs work, collecting medication and remaining with the patient until death, would need further advanced training, while hospital specialists in fields such as oncology and palliative care could get more intensive sessions; staff unwilling to take part could opt out entirely. Critics, including Dr Gillian Wright of Our Duty of Care, say the training is inadequate to spot coercion or unmet mental health needs, echoing earlier warnings from Chief Medical Officer Sir Chris Whitty that later-stage involvement would require specific training beyond general awareness.