But citing the Shipman case as a reason against legalising assisted dying was “inappropriate and misguided”, Dr Esmail wrote in his letter to MPs.
He said moving power from doctors to patients would help shift the medical profession away from a “paternalistic culture”.
“Coupled with the greater regulation and oversight that an assisted dying law would bring, this would help prevent future situations involving bad actors within the medical system who have the means to carry out crimes.”
“The law’s a mess and patients don’t get any security, any safeguards, and nor do doctors,” he said.
Dr Esmail added Streeting was correct to say palliative care and the wider NHS was “in terrible shape”.
“But I can’t understand why that should be a reason for refusing people the choice of an assisted death”.
