Assisted Dying Bill - Scotland

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 ?

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.

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 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.

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.

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?

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.

Blondiescot

Absolutely, Glorianny. There is no comparison.

None whatsoever.

I actually don’t think the Abortion Bill has been corroded at all. There are safeguards around taking abortifacient pills at home and also the morning after pill and I think it gives women more freedom and more autonomy. Particularly those who may be in coercive relationships or may find it difficult to access clinics.
Anyway as Glorianny says no comparison to Assisted Dying Bill, and I don’t want to derail the thread.

Absolutely, Glorianny. There is no comparison.

kgnw28225

I have reservations about this bill. Anything to do with ending a life, is brought in with triple lock wording and rules and regulations. It takes about twenty years for a bill to be corroded. Abortion when first brought in, came with rules and restrictions. IE it could only be performed by a doctor in a hospital, etc,etc. Now 20 years later, you can get tablets, go home and do a diy abortion. If this bill is brought in, it will be today’s 50+ years, in 20 years time. Will families be able to get some tablets and do a diy euthanasia on a relative, who they think has ‘no quality of life, through maybe dementia, bad arthritis etc, etc. Be careful what you wish for.

This comparison doesn't add up. A woman is entitled to the least intrusive method of abortion available to her. The law remains as it always was. The method is much more humane.

As far as dying with dignity goes the medical aspect will always be legally set and will provide safeguards.

My mother too kjmpde and I feel so sorry for others in similar situations.
Around 1 person a week travels to Switzerland to end their life (2019 figures) may be more now, and they have to find £10.000 +to do so, with the risk of relatives accompanying being prosecuted.
I completely agree Zonne equality and dignity, with good safeguards in place.

I agree totally kjmpde and Zonne.
We were lucky that when DH was dying he was at home being kept comfortable with morphine at the end with the help of our sensitive local medical team. That part only lasted a couple of weeks.
I would prefer for myself to be in control if I couldn't bear to continue with life

I saw my DH endure incredible pain for 18 months before he died so I do know how distressing this is for their loved ones.

I echo what Doodledog says. ??

I'm so sorry to hear that, kjmpde, and also for your husband, Zonne. It must be very difficult for both of you.

my mother swore she would never end up in a care home. unfortunately she had a stroke and became a vegetable. she never spoke a word nor did she smile or manage her bladder and bowel. she was bed bound for several years and trapped in one room. Even prisoners that commit murder get time out of their cell. if euthanasia was legal, she could have nodded in agreement. I was not brave enough to kill her - there was no monetary gain to the family as she did not own property. I know she never forgave me for her cruel existence. only those that have never had to see their relatives suffer are those that think they should not be able to decide. I hate - yes I do mean hate- those that think life is worth enduring at all costs. People should have the right to choose

And it’s so wrong that people have to travel to Switzerland.

I was involved in the very early consultations for this. For me, it’s a matter of equality as well as dignity. My husband has a life-limiting illness, which will leave him with a very poor quality of life, and the kind of death one wouldn’t wish on any living creature. We are fortunate, and have money put by for Switzerland, but it is so so wrong that others have to suffer miserable deaths because they don’t have the same resources (and for other reasons of course)

I couldn't agree more, Blondiescot.

I've long been in favour of this, especially after watching my mother die a long slow death from Alzheimer's. The final act of kindness we can do for beloved pets is to put them out of their misery if they are suffering, so why can't we, as humans, choose to do the same? Being able to die with dignity should be a basic human right.

This should be available to anyone of sound mind who wants to end their own life.

There would need to be safeguards in place so that greedy or overwrought relatives can't make this happen against someone's wishes.

Humanist UK have supported Assisted Dying for ages and have frequently lobbied MPs and Peers. Even managed to get the support of our local MP who was against AD until a visit to a MND sufferer was arranged.

Most definitely.

Germanshepherdsmum

I agree Caleo. Of course we do have that right if we are able to take matters into our own hands, but cannot ask for help. High time things changed.

Taking matters into our own hands is full of possible problems.
As well as the problem of having to be physically able to carry out the action without help, for fear that a helper would face criminal charges, there's the possibility of increased suffering if the attempt fails.