The government has no plans to change the law on euthanasia, the Department of Health has said.

The response came amid calls by researchers for improved care and openness among terminally ill patients.

A study published by the BMJ called for doctors to acquire the skills to provide good end-of-life care rather than focus on the mental competence of patients requesting euthanasia.

Publishing their results, the group of European doctors and scientists also called for doctors to move on from calling on governments to determine clear legal guidelines.

But the Department of Health reiterated government policy that assisted suicide is illegal in the UK and will remain so.

"This is an issue which is regularly debated in parliament and the government, having considered all the arguments, has no plans to change the law in this area," said a spokesman for the health department.

"The Department of Health's reference guide to consent for examination or treatment issued in March 2001 clearly distinguishes between euthanasia and withdrawing treatment either at the request of the patient or because it is not in the patient's best interests.

"This should be distinguished from euthanasia which would be an active intervention to end life."

The research, which was carried out by the University Medical Centre Utrecht and involved British experts, is likely to re-ignite the debate over euthanasia.

Holland legalised euthanasia in 2000 on the basis that it was used in strictly limited circumstances.

Since then around 3,200 terminally ill people have requested it each year.

Controversially, the study found families and friends of terminally ill cancer patients who opted for euthanasia experience fewer symptoms of grief and post-traumatic stress.

"Our results should not be interpreted as a plea for euthanasia but as a plea for the same level of care and openness in all patients who are terminally ill," said the researchers.