Work to provide an assisted dying service in England and Wales should not be rushed, and "simplicity" is key for good safeguards, a top medic has told MPs.England's chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty was the first witness to appear before a committee scrutinising the assisted dying Bill.Sir Chris told MPs on Tuesday that he thinks two years "seems a reasonable starting point" but that he does not believe there should be a "firm deadline", with the focus instead on providing a "safe

Work to provide an assisted dying service in England and Wales should not be rushed, and "simplicity" is key for good safeguards, a top medic has told MPs.England's chief medical officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty was the first witness to appear before a committee scrutinising the assisted dying Bill.Sir Chris told MPs on Tuesday that he thinks two years "seems a reasonable starting point" but that he does not believe there should be a "firm deadline", with the focus instead on providing a "safe, fair and secure service".He said he and the UK's other chief medical officers are "completely neutral on the principles of this Bill, which we consider are entirely for society and therefore for Parliament".Sir Chris said he was appearing before the committee to answer technical questions, rather than questions on principle.He told MPs that if the Bill is passed into law by Parliament, there will need to be time for technical guidance and legislation to be put in place, as well as "necessary t