22: Holistic approaches to regulation of voluntary assisted dying

Overview & Synopsis

Regulation aims to enhance the safety and quality of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and promote compliance with legal and system requirements. This chapter proposes that VAD regulation is more likely to be effective when it is designed in a holistic way. Research and evaluations of VAD regulation should also adopt holistic approaches. Holistic approaches are those which consider how all regulatory instruments and actors may guide the behaviour of individuals and institutions in the context of VAD. This includes both looking beyond the role of law and seeing the influence of non-State actors. The chapter begins by defining ‘regulation’ and why it is important for VAD. It then outlines how taking a holistic approach will lead to better understanding of how these regulatory systems work and can be improved. It also explores a case study research project implementing a holistic approach, drawing on regulatory space theory.