Assisted Dying Bill - Scotland

Blondiescot

Absolutely, Glorianny. There is no comparison.

None whatsoever.

Because the government does such a good job now of providing necessary, proper regulations and seeing to it that they are followed through with precision in so many areas. I don't have as much faith in my government following regulations as y'all seem to have in yours.

If the Bill passes will it mean that anyone could go to a Scottish version of ‘Dignitas’ rather than having to take a sick person to Switzerland?

Surely it would just be a matter of choice. Those who shout loudly against it, don’t have to use it, but please, let people who lose their dignity, their mobility, their minds, those in constant pain, let them have a way out, it shouldn’t even need discussing.

I quite agree, Sara1954

It's shameful how we allow people to have horrendous deaths. Allowing people to live with unbearable pain. I remember years ago how we were told nobody need suffer pain due to the fabulous new painkillers etc. Wrong.

This is an issue that needs facing. In some states in USA you are actually prescribed drugs that will do the job for you. Safe at home surrounded by loved ones. How wonderful would that be? Rather than agonising pain in a hospital bed.

Oopsadaisy1 it would be better if severely ill people didn't have to travel, even within Scotland. I hope it is arranged so they don't have to.

This law is intended only for people who are of sound mind and are terminally ill - so, with an illness that is likely to kill them very soon.
It doesn't apply to people with mental disabilities, or non-terminal illness, or dementia.

I'm very much in favour of this bill. I've seen too many people die in pain or just waste away to nothing in an agonising way. Yes please. Give people this right to choose.

Speaking as someone with a terminal illness and of sound mind, I remain as I always have been in favour of assisted dying. However the thought is still scary when it comes down to it. I’m hoping I don’t get to the stage of such pain that I would have to decide. The decision would be mine as my son has POA financial but not medical, far too much pressure to put on him. Which countries allow it? Do we know ?

l hope it passes sooner father than later only the Swiss option at present.

rather not father

Lucca, as far as I know: Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Canada, parts of the USA, and parts of Australia. Germany’s courts have approved a process, but there isn’t primary legislation yet. And, of course, Switzerland. I think Switzerland is the only place that lets foreigners travel there for assisted dying.

There is an early stage Bill in Ireland.

Having witnessed my parents and many patients die an extremely painful death, I am 100% in favour of this bill.

I was a friend of Margo MacDonald’s sister and shared the sorrow of Margo’s suffering with Parkinson’s. She gave a heartfelt speech to the Scottish Government in a plea to pass this bill before she died, unfortunately it fell on deaf ears.

I am in favour of this and am sure all necessary restrictions and regulations would be incorporated.

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

FarNorth

Oopsadaisy1 it would be better if severely ill people didn't have to travel, even within Scotland. I hope it is arranged so they don't have to.

This law is intended only for people who are of sound mind and are terminally ill - so, with an illness that is likely to kill them very soon.
It doesn't apply to people with mental disabilities, or non-terminal illness, or dementia.

Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't. You have to be fully compos mentis. However in some countries, you don't have to have a terminal illness- but to have your quality of life seriously impaired by multiple infirmities/illness.

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

Yes, it would seem to exclude that.

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

My worst fear also. I don’t want to reach a stage whereby I just exist. Nor do I want my family to care for someone who doesn’t know who they are as I did with my mother.

Callistemon21

Esspee

My feeling is that the bill doesn’t go far enough but at least it is a step in the right direction.
My greatest fear is dementia and I will happily end my life if I know I am going down that route.

Yes, it would seem to exclude that.

Unfortunately yes, this is the case. Even if you have very clear advanced directives dating back to before the illness.

And yes, both of us have made the same decision. Sadly, that makes making the choice to die in the early stages- as when it is too late, well, it is! We both agree, and we have told our ACs that this would happen. They found it hard at first, but having witnessed the alternative with several relatives- agree with us now.

Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't

The Netherlands allows people to request, in advance, and receive physician assisted death if they develop any form of dementia.

There was a court case which confirmed the legality of this a couple of years ago.

It's sign of the Conservative regime only people with funds are able to buy their dignified death in Syitzerland

Switzerland

I don’t know what I think about this. My mother died two weeks ago, we haven’t even had the funeral yet, so maybe I’m not in a great position to pass an opinion because I’m so stuck in grief. I often felt so tied with her and everything I did for her but now I miss her so much. She said to me twice’Finish me off’ but I told her I couldn’t because they’d put me in prison. She lived in a care home for her last year. She became unable to walk or even stand and had to be hoisted into or out of bed. She had to use a bedpan and wore large pads all the time. She lost much of her interest in life and it was awful to watch her decline. I’m sure she would have jumped at the chance to end her life in the last few months.

I am so sorry for your loss maddyone

Zonne

^Indeed. Do you know of any country where this is not the case? I don't^

The Netherlands allows people to request, in advance, and receive physician assisted death if they develop any form of dementia.

There was a court case which confirmed the legality of this a couple of years ago.

This is really really interesting. Must look into this, thanks.

so sorry to hear maddyone, my sincere condoleances. And sorry if this discussion is causing distress as far far too close for you atm.

I have 3 close friends who clearly stated they did NOT want to go on with Alzheimer's, having witnessed it very close to them. But left it too late themselves when they were struck, and had to live all the indignities for a long time, totally against their wishes. But having left it too late, nothing could be done.