Catherine Sonquist Forest, based in Santa Cruz where assisted dying was legalised eight years ago, says proposed British law is ‘impressive’

A California doctor who has helped dozens of terminally ill people end their lives at a time of their own choosing has said decades of experience in the US showed that there was no danger of a “slippery slope” if assisted dying legislation was robustly framed.

Dr Catherine Sonquist Forest, a family physician based in Santa Cruz, said the proposed legislation due to be voted on by MPs at Westminster this week was “impressive”.