The Nuffield Trust, one of the UK’s leading health think tanks, has published a landmark report titled Assisted Dying in Practice: International Experiences and Implications for Health and Social Care. The study examines how different countries have approached assisted dying, the systems they have created, and the challenges of ensuring equity and compassion within health and social care.
Significantly, voices from the One Vision Faith and Health Board were invited to contribute to this important national research – ensuring that the perspectives of faith communities were represented in such a sensitive debate.
Faith Voices in National Dialogue
Among the contributors was Pastor Jude Jeanville, a respected Seventh-day Adventist minister, who reflected:
“It was a privilege to represent the Adventist faith community in such a sensitive and challenging discussion. The role of One Vision, led by Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, has been instrumental in ensuring our voices are heard at the highest levels. This work shows how faith communities can help shape national debates with compassion, wisdom, and a focus on human dignity.”
Pastor John Melki, representing the Tamil Christian community, added:
“The issues around assisted dying are complex and deeply personal. I am thankful that through One Vision, faith leaders were able to share our collective experiences and perspectives, highlighting the importance of compassion, equity, and respect for life.”
Adventist pastor Dr Mario Phillip also played an active role, ensuring that the Church remained engaged in the dialogue.
The Faith and Health Board’s contribution extended beyond Christian voices. Sikh leader Harjit Singh DL and Muslim representative Sadia Din also participated, ensuring a truly interfaith discussion that reflected the diversity of Hertfordshire’s communities.
Shaping Policy Through Collaboration
The Nuffield Trust’s report highlights that countries introducing assisted dying have had to create specialist training, oversight bodies, public guidance, and robust data reporting. It also warns of potential inequalities in access, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Through its interfaith model, One Vision has shown how faith leaders, policymakers, and health professionals can work together to address such challenges while keeping moral, spiritual, and social perspectives at the forefront.
Reflecting on the contribution, Enoch Kanagaraj BEM noted:
“Faith plays an essential role in shaping how we understand compassion and dignity in health and social care. I am proud that One Vision has been able to bring diverse voices together, so that these important issues are not just discussed in policy rooms but are informed by the lived experience of communities and the wisdom of faith traditions.”
Dr Sarah Scobie, Deputy Director of Research at the Nuffield Trust, affirmed:
“This report reflects our neutral stance on legalising assisted dying and our focus on understanding its implications for health and social care. We hope it will be a useful resource for policymakers and representative groups. We are grateful to the One Vision team for contributing to the project.”
An Adventist Perspective
As Adventists, we uphold the sanctity of life as a gift from God. Scripture reminds us:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
Ellen G White also counsels:
“The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred years ago – a revelation of Christ… only through the grace of Christ can the work of restoration, physical, mental, and spiritual, be accomplished” (The Ministry of Healing, p.143).
Through partnerships like One Vision, the Adventist Church continues to influence national conversations with a spirit of hope, compassion, and Christ-like service.
You can read the full report here: