Christian public policy charity CARE has welcomed the announcement by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) that it will remain opposed to a change in the law on assisted suicide and euthanasia.

RCGP Council, the group's governing body, made the decision on Friday.

Members were asked whether RCGP should change its current position of opposing a change in the law on assisted dying.

Results showed 47 per cent of respondents said that the RCGP should oppose a change in the law on assisted dying. Meanwhile, 40 per cent of respondents said the RCGP should support a change in the law on assisted dying, providing there is a regulatory framework and appropriate safeguarding processes in place.  Eleven per cent of respondents said that the RCGP should have a neutral position and 2 per cent of respondents abstained from answering.  

CARE's communications manager, James Mildred, said: "No other major professional medical body supports changing the law to introduce assisted suicide of any kind.

"The RCGP has today recognised the danger of either supporting or being neutral on assisted suicide. 

"Vulnerable people need the protection of the current law and to know that medical professionals truly have their best interests at heart.

"Today's decision will no doubt be noted by MPs and other elected representatives as a significant rebuff to those advocating for a dangerous change in the law."

Assisted dying is illegal in the UK. The RCGP last reviewed its position on assisted dying in 2014 after member consultation in 2013.

RCGP Council will not review the group's position on this issue for at least five years unless "there are significant developments on the issue".