Dr. Sarah Wollaston Appointed to Lead Jersey Assisted Dying Committee

The Government of Jersey has appointed Dr. Sarah Wollaston as the chair of the Assisted Dying Assurance and Delivery Committee. This body is tasked with overseeing the implementation, quality, and safety of the island's new assisted dying service, which was approved by the States Assembly in February and received Royal Assent in July. Wollaston, a former member of the UK Parliament and a physician with over two decades of experience, will lead the committee in ensuring the service operates in accordance with the new legislation.

Wollaston’s appointment has drawn attention due to her past public statements regarding assisted suicide. In a 2012 opinion piece, she argued that allowing doctors to facilitate death would fundamentally alter the doctor-patient relationship and expressed concern that such practices could harm medical professionals. Upon her appointment, Wollaston stated she is honored to take the role and is committed to ensuring the service is compassionate, lawful, and centered on the needs of patients and their families.