The Dutch government is considering plans to use mobile medical teams which would administer euthanasia to people in their homes. The units, dubbed 'grim reapers on wheels' by critics, will be called in to kill patients when their own GPs (Doctors) refuse to administer lethal drugs. The mobile teams of doctors and nurses would be sent out from a clinic following a referral from the patient’s doctor.

Answer to questions from Christian Union MPs she said that mobile units 'for patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out' was worthy of consideration. If the patient thinks it desirable, the doctor can refer him or her to a mobile team or clinic.

In Holland, euthanasia is usually carried out by administering a strong sedative to put the patient in a coma, followed by a drug to stop breathing and cause death. To qualify, patients must convince two doctors they are making an informed choice in the face of unbearable suffering. It has long been suspected that numbers of cases are being under-reported, however, as doctors apply a liberal interpretation of the law. Earlier this year official figures revealed for the first time that doctors have been killing dementia sufferers, including Alzheimer’s victims