Assisted dying: Parliamentary public consultstion

Sorry didn’t get back sooner.
I am in agreement with most of what you say. I belong to the Humanist U.K. who are actively campaigning for this law. My only reservations are the safeguards against abuse which need to be robust. I think this is a natural concern of many, but hopefully this will not derail Bill.

Totally agree. But it would be relatively simple (as proven in so many other countries) to put this 100% no coercion safety measures. The person has to be interviewed at the time of presenting the report and making the request, and on their own- with trained advisors who know how to detect any coercion or hesitation at all. And again on the day, on their own - for the same reasons. It works, very well.

Thanks, CanadianGran, it’s good to have insight from somewhere with an assisted dying system.

And thank you to all those of you who are completing the survey. This is a real opportunity to see change in this country, and there will be lots of organised submissions from groups and organisations, but I think it’s really important that the Select Committee hears from as many ordinary people as possible.

I think it’s also worth noting that Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Jersey are currently further ahead with trying to progress Assisted Dying legislation. I have no idea what the residency requirements will be.

Fleurpepper

Totally agree. But it would be relatively simple (as proven in so many other countries) to put this 100% no coercion safety measures. The person has to be interviewed at the time of presenting the report and making the request, and on their own- with trained advisors who know how to detect any coercion or hesitation at all. And again on the day, on their own - for the same reasons. It works, very well.

Absolutely this… I really don’t understand why they’re dragging their heels so badly…. I know there has got to be safeguarding and protection against coercion but they just keep kicking the can down the road…🥺

Hope many more from GN will fill in questionnaire before the deadline, and share with other groups, their FaceBook, TicToc, wherever they can. Friends, family, and more.

Thank you.

Such a very important issue for many, many people..

www.dignitas.ch/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20&lang=en

Countries that allow assisted suicide may differ in their legal preconditions. The above link is that of Dignitas in Switzerland.

(Extract)Because the co-operation of a Swiss medical doctor (physician) is absolutely vital in ob- taining the required drug, further prerequisites mean that the person must have:

a disease which will lead to death (terminal illness), and/or
an unendurable incapacitating disability, and/or
unbearable and uncontrollable pain.

Exit, in Switzerland, requires a medical report, but the application interview and the deed on the day does NOT require the presence of someone medically qualified.

The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has recognised a person's right to seek assistance to commit suicide.

Suicide assistance may be rendered whenever the person wishing to die

knows what he or she is doing (faculty of judgement)
does not act on impulse (due consideration)
has a persistent wish to die (constancy)
is not under the influence of any third party (autonomy)
commits suicide by his or her own hand (agency)

This means that even suicide assistance to young healthy people would technically be legal.

In full awareness of its enormous responsibility, however, EXIT has self-imposed restrictions through its by-laws and internal guidelines. Moreover, EXIT proactively orients itself to the diligence criteria that were negotiated in a bilateral agreement with the Canton of Zurich, where EXIT is seated.

EXIT will provide end-of-life care only to persons

with hopeless prognoses

or with unbearable symptoms

or with unacceptable disabilities

or persons suffering in and around old age; due consideration should also be given to psychosocial aspects

Sadly however, only available to residents in Switzerland.

Dignitas in Switzerland is available for foreigners.

It's unfair that, because it costs a £1000s to use Dignitas, most people can't use it as most people lack savings of about £9.000.

Prue Leith just now on the LauraK programme, so in favour of assisted dying. A documentary on Thursday evening will show her and her son discussin opposite sides of the argument.

I signed and will watch tge origramme on Thursday.
I wonder when we hear results of the parliamentary inquiry.

Why is dementia left out ? If I knew no one, including my closest family, was incontinent, couldn’t eat, my sane self would be pleased to be put out of my misery.

My DM did not want to die in hospital. She had a carer at home for the last 10 days of her life. She gave up eating and the kindly doctor said it was her choice. I was heavily criticised by family for not encouraging her to eat, but I did what she wanted. I have no regrets I loved my mum.

Sorry NanKate, didn't see this question at the time.

It is because of that 'slippery slope' - it is very important that anyone requesting help is 100% compos mentis and able to make their own decision, and totally clear about what it means.

Many in the groups that fight for legalisation would like dementia/Alzheimer's to be included, but this will take quite some time- and at this stage, best left out, however wrongly- to appease the 'slippery slope' accusers.

You have my utmost respect for doing what you knew your mum wanted. Such a hard thing to do, even though you know that is what they want. And it should not be this way. One should be able to make a very clear advanced directives, with one's wishes in case of dementia/Alzheimers, and at what stage, with 3 main criterias to be chosen. At the moment, if anyone is struck with the disease, even if members of an Association and with advanced directives in place, all they can ask for is DNR and do not force feed, no anti-biotics, etc. Or to make a decision at an early stage, far too early, to ensure that they don't go past the point of no return. It takes guts to do that- but at least in some countries, you can get assistance at that stage.

I think Belgium is the only exception, where an advanced directive can be used in such cases- but I am not sure if you have to be officially resident in Netherlands at the time- must make enquiries to that effect.

Posting today to remind people who would like to understand the issues better, to watch the documentary tonight with Prue Leith and her son. She in favour and he against. Should be very interesting to say the least.

Thank you Fleur for your kind words. My mum didn’t have dementia fortunately, but she had a great fear of hospitals. My last visit to her she had a few mouthfuls of ice-cream just so I could see her eating, but I knew what she was up to.

I have not been able to read any of her lovely birthday cards she sent me, as I knew I would just melt into tears, however today is my DGS’s 12 birthday and I was telling him about his great Nan who died in 1994. I then went upstairs and read one of her cards to me from years back and I have placed it on the Mantlepiece and I haven’t shed a tear I am happy to say.

Glad you could do that. It is truly time the Law was changed in the UK. Only the rich can afford to go to Switzerland, and, as said, people often have to go too early, to make sure they can. And often choose to go alone, as they fear their loved one/s would be prosecuted on return.

My mother did the same btw- she stopped eating and turned her head to the wall- but it took a long time. Very sad indeed. hugs

Starting now ITV 4

I agree Fleur very sad. 💐

In my opinion it is disgraceful that those privileged by wealth can make use of assisted dying at a time of their choosing by travelling to the right jurisdictions whereas the rest of us may have to die in considerable pain. Of course there must be safeguards but if other countries can implement them (despite some naysayers) I don't see why we can't do it here.