Assisted dying bill

Galaxy

I am so sorry Blossoming, the voices of those with disabilities are frequently ignored. Lots of us did try to fight against it.

Many disabled charities are totally against this bill, their voices and concerns have been ignored.

Claremont if only we all had your blind faith in the UK’s NHS…

I am so sorry Blossoming, the voices of those with disabilities are frequently ignored. Lots of us did try to fight against it.

Blossoming

I’m very frightened. I’m disabled and ill and my most recent hospitalisation has given me no confidence that decisions taken by doctors will be in my best interests.

I am so sorry to hear and wish you all the best. But it won't be up to doctors to make that decision, at all. You would have to apply, making a clear request. Nobody can force you to do this.

BTW, in the olden days, not so long ago, doctors could help humanely, on request, to shorten end stage. Since Shipman, that is totally .gone

Anniebach

No, I do not have 100% trust in doctors, do they never make the wrong diagnosis?

Of course they do, they are only human. But terminal cancer is just that- the diagnosis was made a long time ago, invasive and debilitating treatment given, sometimes with a plateau, and often it strikes back later, and no longer responds to treatment- and the situation is very clear. The exact number of months is not totally accurate, but if the patient says they can't face any more of said treatment (as my friend has done today after several years of fighting her best ever fight, and with the best treatment and care) - then the situation is terminal, and clearly so. And at the end of the day, at the end of the fight, at the end of life - they will now have the choice. And that is such a relief. And amazing relief to that their family will not be prosecuted for being there for them.

No, I do not have 100% trust in doctors, do they never make the wrong diagnosis?

I’m very frightened. I’m disabled and ill and my most recent hospitalisation has given me no confidence that decisions taken by doctors will be in my best interests.

I hope Scotland follows suit, and with haste. Although there are differences in the Scottish bill, no life expectancy clause for one.

I’m very relieved that it’s been passed. I want to be able to make the decision when and if the time comes.

Nanato3

If I'm right I think this bill is only for terminally Ill people.
Why ? Everyone should have the right to end their lives if they can't cope with their illness anymore.

Leaving people in terrible pain and a slow death is barbaric.

This says everything. I totally agree.

spottybook

Neither of my parents had a peaceful death and were in extreme pain at the end despite medication. It was heartbreaking and I wouldn’t want my children to witness my demise in same manner and always said I would go to Dignitas. I for one am therefore delighted with today’s decision.

Sorry to hear, and of course I totally understand your concerns. Going to Dignitas is only for the well-off, at about 12 to 14k including flights, special help, doctors, etc. and only for those well enough to travel, often too early, for the fear of no longer being able to. And of course, without spouse, partner, Acs or friends, for fear of them being prosecuted on return.

People who want that choice should never have to have to trave away from home, family and friends. And should be available to all who 'qualify', irrespective of bank account or physical strength.

Galaxy

I think this is the issue that everyone has a story but the stories of the risks to the vulnerable, those at risk of coercion are hypothetical so don't carry the same weight.

Exactly

GrannyGravy13

I nursed my grandma who had multiple cancers in 1976, she stayed at home with pain relief until 24 hours before she died.

Palliative care was provided and did an excellent caring service.

I nursed my mother in my home until 11 days before she died. She then when into a hospice.

Both fabulous kind women who clung onto life until their very last breath, the thought of them maybe being manipulated by unscrupulous professionals (please don’t tell me that these people do not exist, as I know they do, as does history) fills me with dread.

How many times have we heard elderly people say I don’t want to be a burden to my family ? I have seen posts on GN as such.

No amount of shouty letters will change my mind, I am totally against this bill.

And all the credit to you, and I am glad that it was peaceful and painless. But Hospice places are often not available and some cancers do not respond well to morphine in terminal phase.

So many have witnessed unbearable pain for loved ones, unable to help them at all. My heart goes to all of them. Many doctors and nurses will tell you about so many cases too.

Every step will be taken to ensure no coercion, from family or staff.

However, what is wrong in not wanting to be 'a burden'- in not wanting your ACs taking much time off to hold your hand and watch you suffer, unable to help. I do not with to want to suffer in latter stages of cancer, part of this for myself, part of this to not leave my family with terrible memories of those last stages in my loss of everything over an extended period. And I would not wish for the cost of looking after me in those last stages, to be taken off the budget for those who need it and have a lfe n front of them. What's wrong with that?

(I have checked, and this is totally irrelevant- caps are only considered 'shoutint' if continuous, but totally fine for emphasis of a word or two.)

I think this is the issue that everyone has a story but the stories of the risks to the vulnerable, those at risk of coercion are hypothetical so don't carry the same weight.

Neither of my parents had a peaceful death and were in extreme pain at the end despite medication. It was heartbreaking and I wouldn’t want my children to witness my demise in same manner and always said I would go to Dignitas. I for one am therefore delighted with today’s decision.

I've just had to watch my FiL (98) slowly starve himself to death over a period of three weeks because he had literally lost the will to live. What he endured, I would not wish on anyone. Believe me, if my OH or I could have done anything to ease his passing, we would have granted him that final kindness. Dying with dignity? There was no dignity whatsoever for him...

I nursed my grandma who had multiple cancers in 1976, she stayed at home with pain relief until 24 hours before she died.

Palliative care was provided and did an excellent caring service.

I nursed my mother in my home until 11 days before she died. She then when into a hospice.

Both fabulous kind women who clung onto life until their very last breath, the thought of them maybe being manipulated by unscrupulous professionals (please don’t tell me that these people do not exist, as I know they do, as does history) fills me with dread.

How many times have we heard elderly people say I don’t want to be a burden to my family ? I have seen posts on GN as such.

No amount of shouty letters will change my mind, I am totally against this bill.

I’m relieved this bill passed.

On day four of being with my husband as his life slowly faded away, one of our daughters said - mum we should be able to help him. You wouldn’t let one of your dogs suffer like this. We were fortunate, I stayed with our daughters at his bedside for eight days. We wanted to bring him home to die. The consultant explained he was too unstable to move. We were given a small side room. The nursing and ancillary staff were wonderful. It was so important to be with him but traumatic as well.

It is a funny one as you also have reform in most cases voting against it, Sunak voted for it if I remember rightly and Rayner against.

Galaxy

I know who voted for it believe me, I am currently standing in solidarity with both Diane Abbot, Corbyn etc which is a strange place to be but it was the labour party who brought this into parliament. I resigned my membership when they announced it.

I must admit never in a million years could I have seen myself on the same side of a debate as Corbyn or Abbott 🤷‍♀️

I know who voted for it believe me, I am currently standing in solidarity with both Diane Abbot, Corbyn etc which is a strange place to be but it was the labour party who brought this into parliament. I resigned my membership when they announced it.

MPs should not be allowed to deny other people a choice because they have a particular religious point of view, as things stand people with terminal illness are forced to endure pain and suffering towards the end because by that time they are physically unable to end their own life and anyone assisting them would face imprisonment, this results in people who could still have many good months ahead going to Dignitas alone because they can't risk leaving it any longer. The Assisted Dying Bill would allow people to enjoy life for as long as they can knowing a pain free, peaceful death is their choice. Watching loved ones die in pain is horrendous, I remember my Dad saying his pain was "beyond human endurance"no one should have to suffer because a certain number of MPs have decreed they must. I keep hearing that better palliative care is required and I totally agree with that but far too many die in A&E departments or hospital wards when they could have had a dignified death at home. Given the state of the NHS at present (due to various governments not the dedicated staff who do their best) I am very doubtful that palliative care will be made a priority if this bill fails.

I didn't shout, apologies, but wanted to emphasize as the words you use did not state an opinion, but falsehood- mixing euthanasia and assisted dying is totally wrong.

Many of those who voted in favour are not Labour MPs.

I didn't vote for them in the last local elections but voted for Starmer.