A Jersey doctor has launched a group for people in the healthcare sector who would like to see islanders given the option to deny end-of-life care.

Dr Nigel Minihane is bringing clinicians together who are in favour of allowing patients to choose to end their lives.

He says in terms of the future we need to give patients a choice.

"I have two daughters, and if I had something like motorneurone disease whether my symptoms are controlled or not, would I want them to watch me gradually diminish and then gradually, sort of, suffocate in front of them?

"I don't think I would, I don't know for sure, but that's my opinion, but at the moment I don't have that choice."

Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying has 3,000 members across the British Isles and a Jersey branch is being launched due to the momentum of the topic here.

The GP is a prominent campaigner for the service and set up the Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group with former States Member Jennifer Bridge MBE.

He says society needs to move forward with people's opinions.

"The Citizens' Jury looked at this and considered a lot of opinions from a lot of different people, both pro and against.

"I think the final decision was 78% in favour of both Route One and Route Two."

Jersey's assisted dying proposal involves two 'routes'. They include:

• Route One - A terminal illness which is expected to cause death in six months for a physical illness or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition.
• Route Two - Unbearable suffering from a physical illness which cannot be alleviated in a way the person deems tolerable.

Dr Minihane does not completely agree with Route Two and believes that the ethical dilemmas surrounding it are too great.

"[It] has been confirmed by a group of ethicists, who were commissioned by the government to look at the issue.

"For me, route one gives autonomy, it's compassionate, it's robust, and it won't involve a massive amount of money, in comparison with other healthcare services, which, as a GP, I would also like to be augmented."

Jersey's parliament is due to debate legalising assisted dying on 21 May.