Dr. Marsh Faces Backlash for Controversial Comments on Assisted Dying

A prominent NHS surgeon, Dr. Henry Marsh, has sparked controversy following his remarks about “sacrificing grannies” during a Parliamentary committee discussion on assisted dying. Dr. Marsh, a specialist neurosurgeon, made a statement that has drawn widespread criticism, particularly from anti-assisted suicide advocates and political commentators.

During a session of the Human Rights Committee on November 13, 2025, Dr. Marsh was questioned about his previous comments advocating for assisted dying. When asked by Tory Peer Lord Simon Murray whether he stood by his assertion that “if there’s some cases of coercion, the greater public good is satisfied by having the system,” Dr. Marsh acknowledged his previous remark. He stated, “In principle, yes. I know I made a very crass comment about ‘sacrificing grannies.’ I greatly regret it and I wish I hadn’t said it.” He added that he did not anticipate that his remarks would become public.

Dr. Marsh, who has had a distinguished career at St George’s Hospital in London, operated on thousands of patients over four decades before transitioning to semi-retirement. His comments, made during a 2017 interview with the Sunday Times, suggested that the potential benefits of assisted dying could outweigh the risks, even if it meant some vulnerable individuals might feel pressured. He previously asserted, “Even if a few grannies get bullied into it, isn’t that a price worth paying for all the people who could die with dignity?”

The backlash to Dr. Marsh’s recent comments has been significant. Catherine Robinson, from the anti-assisted suicide group Right To Life UK, expressed dismay that he did not retract his comments but instead laughed about them. Robinson stated, “This utilitarian thinking, where the protection owed to elderly people and sick and dying people is sacrificed for some alleged greater good, is typical of the extreme views many supporters of assisted suicide hold.”

Former Downing Street adviser Nikki da Costa echoed this sentiment, remarking on social media that “the cost of some people’s choice is that others will die who do not want to.” Barrister Barbara Rich also criticized Dr. Marsh, questioning the ethics of advocating for legal changes that could foreseeably harm vulnerable populations.

This discussion occurs as the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill moves through Parliament, with 942 amendments currently proposed by peers. If the Bill passes all required stages in the House of Lords, it will be sent to Members of Parliament for final consideration before receiving Royal assent. The proposed legislation would permit terminally ill adults in England and Wales, who have a prognosis of fewer than six months to live, to apply for assisted death, subject to the approval of two doctors and an expert panel.

The ongoing debate surrounding assisted dying continues to evoke strong reactions from both supporters and opponents. Dr. Marsh’s remarks serve as a focal point for discussions about the ethical implications of such legislation, particularly regarding the rights and protections of vulnerable individuals. As the Bill advances, the implications of these discussions will likely resonate throughout public and political discourse in the UK and beyond.