Prue and Danny's Death Road Trip

I missed that. Will try and catch up with it later on More 4.
I am definitely for assisted dying..

I don't like either of them so wouldn't watch it.

I have recorded it and will watch later. I read their article in the Radio Times and will copy part of it to show to my Dr.
Prue's brother died with bone cancer. I have that and do not want to die in agony, as he did.
I know there are more up to date pain managements, but I do not want to be just kept alive for the sake of it.
Please, don't get me wrong. At the moment I am fine-ish, but would like a say in how I am dealt with layer on.

I watched with my DD and SiL as I'm staying with them for half-term.
I support the assisted dying movement and hope that when my time comes there will be a choice. My DD did see my late DH, her father, die but he was lucky, had little pain and wasn't confused. It's not like that for everyone. Neither my DD nor my SiL were quite convinced. Both thought that pressure might be brought to bear by potential heirs and even by medics etc who just wanted the person out of the way. My attitude was, there should be the choice, wait till you get to my age!

Grandmabatty

I don't like either of them so wouldn't watch it.

Surely it is about the subject, not the personalities!

AuntieFlo, so sorry to hear you have bc, but very glad to know you are not in too much pain.

I do wonder why they chose to go to USA and Canada, when most British people choose to go much closer- a short flight away, to Switzerland, or the Netherlands?

I am no fan of Prue either- but she was truly amazing in the programme and I have changed my mind about her.

Yes, I wondered why they didn't stay closer to home - probably a nice little trip for them!

I watched it. Prue & Daniel are polar opposites in their opinions of assisted dying but they were respectful of each other’s viewpoint. At the end neither had changed their mind.

I agree with the point that if the Hospice movement was much better funded, and widely available , more people would be able to die with dignity and free from pain - and their families would benefit enormously from the care and support on offer.

It was fascinating and didn't change my belief that there should be assisted dying.

I found the couple who went together holding hands particularly moving. What a wonderful way to go.

Totally Maw, but the choice should be there anyway.

I only saw the latter half of the prog but will go back and see the whole.

I have been a supporter of assisted dying for a while, and am a humanist.

What did give me pause for thought was Canada’s laws on AD, which were very liberal to the extent of considering extending this choice (not yet Law) to those who were mentally ill. It was very moving to see the man with Parkinson’s and also the man with a long-standing mental health condition.

Maw I agree hospices seem ideal places in which to die, but very few people do actually die in them, and some would prefer to die at home, so perhaps more funding for hospice at home would be a good idea. I don’t agree that it is always possible to guarantee that some will die pain free, wherever they die. I’ve seen it sadly.

I agree with AD for terminally ill people who request it, whilst of sound mind and without coercion, and if performed by a medical practicer. What I am less sure about is that this strict criteria would not be widened over time allowing those not terminally ill to be able to choose this option.

I watched with interest and like others wondered why they chose usa and canada to look at instead of somewhere closer to home.
I support choice and hope to have one if I ever need it.
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Both of my parents died in a Hospice, free of pain surrounded by caring and kind doctors and nurses. They rely on a massive amount of goodwill and fundraising.

My maternal GM had multiple secondary cancers, I was with her when the Hospital Dr. (An East London General Hospital, I will not divulge which one) gave her a pain reliever injection, she died within twenty minutes, I am convinced he helped her on her journey.

I would say they had a good death

I am on the fence regarding assisted dying, I agree that there needs to be a discussion.

DH and I both support assisted dying, ideally at home or a hospice but until our government agree with the many who have signed petition after petition we still wait until the law is changed here, hopefully soon.

If necessary, we would travel to the Netherlands or Switzerland.
As a former nurse I have witnessed too many cases of unnecessary suffering and heart break of end of life situations
both for the patient and their family who helplessly watch a loved one linger on when they would rather die with pain free dignity .

GrannyGravy13

Both of my parents died in a Hospice, free of pain surrounded by caring and kind doctors and nurses. They rely on a massive amount of goodwill and fundraising.

My maternal GM had multiple secondary cancers, I was with her when the Hospital Dr. (An East London General Hospital, I will not divulge which one) gave her a pain reliever injection, she died within twenty minutes, I am convinced he helped her on her journey.

I would say they had a good death

I am on the fence regarding assisted dying, I agree that there needs to be a discussion.

The doctor most likely did. It is not unknown for doctors to make this decision.

Kalu

GrannyGravy13

Both of my parents died in a Hospice, free of pain surrounded by caring and kind doctors and nurses. They rely on a massive amount of goodwill and fundraising.

My maternal GM had multiple secondary cancers, I was with her when the Hospital Dr. (An East London General Hospital, I will not divulge which one) gave her a pain reliever injection, she died within twenty minutes, I am convinced he helped her on her journey.

I would say they had a good death

I am on the fence regarding assisted dying, I agree that there needs to be a discussion.

The doctor most likely did. It is not unknown for doctors to make this decision.

But doctors are put in an awful situation, desperate to help their patient but also knowing that they are leaving themselves open to awful risks. Legislation in favour of AD would help them too.

Harold Shipman rather put paid to doctors, albeit with compassionate intent, overdoing the morphine to help a dying patient. They are wary of relatives or occasionally professionals reporting.

I thought this programme was very balanced and thought provoking. I am broadly in favour of assisted dying with a Dr present..and plenty of prior questioning.

I saw about the last twenty minutes of the programme. I would say the part I saw was thought provoking. I’m unsure about assisted dying, particularly because of the new law in Canada, not yet passed, to assist mentally ill people choose this option. I also think some families would put pressure on older people to take this step. I’m sure this would happen.

maddyone- the doctors will know how to read the signs of any cohercion, by very sepcific questionning, alone with the person.

I’m not sure about that Fleur. Freeing up beds springs to mind.

NO- not if it is done properly, with proper guidelines.

Hopefully Fleur that’s how it should happen, but I’m an old cynic having worked in the health service a loooong time.