It's been revealed that the government will receive a report in a year that sets out proposals for how assisted dying could be safeguarded from abuse, if it were to be implemented in the country.

As reported by The Portsmouth News, the Commission on Assisted Dying met for the first time last week to hear evidence which they will then report back to the government after a year.

"The commission has come about because there has been so much focus on assisted dying recently and high-profile cases, with people being prosecuted, and people want and need clarity on this," explained Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North.

Ms Mordaunt said she was "fairly open minded" on the issue of assisted dying, explaining that she believes "the existing situation is unsatisfactory.''

"You've got, for example, a 25-year-old woman who, because she cannot have children, wants to end her life and decides to do so by drinking poison, and by leaving a letter - a living will - she can say she does not want to be revived," said Ms Mordant. "But then you can have a terminally-ill person who has to raise funds to travel overseas in order to commit suicide."

There is no plans yet for those in nurse manager jobs or similar authoritative positions to be expected to be involved with assisted dying. The commission is simply establishing whether safeguards could be put in place, should the government consider legalising the practice.

"Safeguards could be things like setting up panels in hospitals which would review cases and make sure everything's been done properly, and the patient's not under pressure from their family, or the incorrect decision has been made by a doctor," explained Ms Mordaunt.