Assisted Dying. For or against?

Absolutely yes

Definitely.

Lincslass

silverlining48

As in abortion, it’s my understanding that anyone in the nhs who doesn’t agree with this, can opt out.

Would think that would be quite a few then.

If you worked in the NHS- you should know the realities of end of life care with some diseases. The huge majority of doctors I know are in favour or assisted dying- the BMA recent poll confirms that.

Did you read my post about process. Doctors will not be asked to euthanaze patients, but to allow them to do the deed for themselves, with the necessary assistance- and would no longer be prosecuted.

Yes from me, but with lots of safeguards.

100% yes from me.

silverlining48

As in abortion, it’s my understanding that anyone in the nhs who doesn’t agree with this, can opt out.

Would think that would be quite a few then.

Good on you silverlining. Not sure about being sent directly- please check,

I have sent mine by post, from abroad, with hand-written envelope as I feel it makes it more likely it will be opened and read. I do hope they, or at least one, will respond. Will update you.

Lincslass, no-one in the NHS will have to do anything they don't approve and don't want to be part of. It is easy for someone to be given the 'potion' or a drip they have to self activate.

As in abortion, it’s my understanding that anyone in the nhs who doesn’t agree with this, can opt out.

Well who are you going to get to do this. Glad I’m not in the NHS anymore.

Kali I found the site and have written my letter. Can’t print it off for some reason but hope it has been sent directly.

Yes.

Huge yes, including for minors

silverligning- or join Dignity in Dying, as they have teamed up for a common effort to try and get as much support in the Lords for this Bill.

grandetante- it has been shown that, especially in countries where assisted dying is not legal- people suffering from debilitating diseases like Motor Eurone Disease and others, have to make the choice to go to Switzerland or Belgium far too early, when they could have many weeks, perhaps months, of some quality of life with their loved ones - knowing that if they wait, they will no longer be physically or mentally able to travel there. This is truly tragic.

silverlining. you could write to any Peer you know of. I am a member of the Humanist Society- so I just clicked on their link, wrote my letter (modelled on the one they gave as muster, but personalised it) and then they selected a name for me. I did this 3 times, so my 3 letters went to the House of Lords today.

grandtanteJE65- to avail yourself to assisted dying- YOU have to apply, with very strict guidelines. You have to activate your request as and when you feel that you just cannot bear the pain and indignities anymore, and you can withdraw your request right up to the last second. NO-ONE else can make that request for you, and any pressure from outside would be perceived and cancel the whole thing.

The point is, people should have the CHOICE - and no-one would be coherced into anything.

Kali can you give us more information on where and to whom we should write regarding the bill you mention.

lovebeigecardigans1955 my Dad had MND too

No. Not unless you can guarantee that the terminally ill, or just the old, won't feel pressed to ask for help to commit suicide.

While we are fit and well, we may feel that we wouldn't want to live with this or that condition, but that does not necessarily mean that we will not cling to life at all costs for as long as we can, once we realise that we are dying.

Definitely yes.

If you believe, as I strongly do, that people in the UK should have the right to choose, please write to a Peer asap to express this and encourage them to attend and vote in favour.

From The Humanist Society:

In just three weeks, the House of Lords will debate legislation to end our country’s ban on assisted dying. If this bill commands enough support in the Lords it would be a historic victory – clearing the way for a lasting change in the law. We need your help to make this happen. Will you write to a peer today in support of Baroness Meacher’s assisted dying bill?

We’ve teamed up with Dignity in Dying to jointly call for a change in the law. Together we’ve prepared a template letter which we’d encourage you to put into your own words, as we know peers are more likely to respond to personalised, printed letters.

WRITE TO A PEER

Every week at least one Briton travels to Switzerland to end their life. Nine in ten members of the public want to see our prohibitive law reformed, and half of all doctors personally support this change. It is time for a change in the law.

By writing to a peer in support of this assisted dying bill we could help pave the way to making it a reality.

With thanks,

It seems to me that if any sort of proper poll was taken of the electorate it would be substantially in favour of this.

They would probably be in favour of the death penalty too Franbern.

And you can't equate the issues surrounding pregnancy termination with those surrounding deliberately ending someone's life.

Absolutely YES. Why on earth should I not have control of the time and place of my death in the same way that I have control of my living?
Obviously, regulations would be in place and as an increasing number of countries are now doing this, we have so much knowledge and experience of such controls.

Same sort of objectins were made origianly against pregnancy terminations, causing untold women to endure horrible botched terminations, often leading to a lifetime of pain or death.

I have little or no fear of death, but a great fear of dying. It seems to me that if any sort of proper poll was taken of the electorate it would be substantially in favour of this.

Isn't this interesting? We are obviously mostly in the age group where assisted dying is increasingly relevant and we are overwhelmingly in favour. Yet whenever the subject is raised in the press or the commons, a vocal minority seem to hijack it and it gets dropped.
I hope a concerted effort is made to pass legislation before my time comes.

A definite yes from me.

It’s a yes from me but would have to be very clear with checks and everything. Since you mentioned power of attorney Witzend I am doing ours now on the gov.uk website do you have to pay separately for the health one and the financial one so it’s 160 each or can you it the two together?