THE Royal College of Physicians warned MPs today that the assisted suicide Bill risks “failing to protect vulnerable patients.”

Kim Leadbeater MP’s End of Life (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill returns to the Commons for its report stage tomorrow. This could be followed by its third and final reading in the same session, though the number of amendments for debate make it likely it will need further parliamentary time next month.

The physicians are the second leading medical body to express fears this week, after the Royal College of Psychiatrists published a range of concerns on Tuesday, including over how psychiatrists would fulfil their responsibility to treat suicidal depression if it were legalised, and protections for the mentally ill.