Oldham's MPs have shared their thoughts on the upcoming vote on the assisted dying bill.

The Bill, officially named the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill aims to allow adults aged 18 or over, who have the mental capacity to do so, are terminally ill and within the last six months of their lives, to ask doctors for assistance in ending their life. 

Applicants who wish to do this would need to be a resident of England or Wales and two doctors must assess each request, at least seven days apart, to ensure that the person meets the eligibility criteria.

The eligibility criteria include that the person has a 'clear, settled and informed wish to end their own life' and that they have reached this decision voluntarily, without coercion or pressure.

If both doctors independently state that the eligibility criteria have been met, the person may apply to the High Court for approval of their request.

MPs will vote on the bill on Friday (November 29) and have been given a free vote, meaning the decision is theirs to make based on ethical values rather than political ones. 

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West, Royton and Chadderton said: "On Friday the 29th of November the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will receive its second reading.

"The bill, if passed, would allow terminally ill people with six months or less to live to have the option to end their own life.

"This will be a free vote, determined by conscience instead of by politics.

"I’d like to thank constituents who have written to me about this issue.

"I have weighed up both sides of the debate very carefully, and after much consideration, I have decided to vote against the bill.

"I believe we are not yet at the stage in this country to provide the proper safeguards to protect vulnerable people at the end of their life.

"Ultimately, I believe it is not the state's role to sanction when someone should die.

"It is the role of the state to keep people safe, and I don’t see that this bill will do that in its current form.

"I am concerned that the safeguards are not yet strong enough and the criteria could shift, potentially leaving vulnerable people more at risk.

"Agreeing to the bill, in its current limited form, would lay the path for to go further in the future.

"We need to focus instead on reforming our health and social care system so we can make people as comfortable as possible at the end of their life.

"We need to fund and reform palliative care and the hospice sector, extend provisions to ensure equitable access to services, and emphasise dignity in end of life.

"I recognise people in my constituency and beyond will have real experience of this and feel very strongly one way or the other.

"I very much appreciate the emotional and complex nature of this debate and I hope that you will understand my decision."

Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth said: "This is a very important and emotive subject that warrants more than a short comment.

"I'd be very happy to send a comprehensive reply to any of my constituents, as I have already done, if they would like to email me at abrahamsd@parliament.uk"