Prue and Danny's Death Road Trip

I'm all in favour of assisted dying - having seen too many people suffer so much. What's the point of prolonging the agony if you're terminally ill?

I was not a fan of Prue Leith before, but I might be after watching this. I agree with her 100%. My 53 year old sister took an agonising three weeks to die of cancer. It started in her breast several years before, then spread to her bones, then liver and finally brain. She spent an agonising three weeks in hospital, going blind a week before she died, finally dying in absolute agony. I will never forget watching her pain, and the pain of her three children watching her die (her son only ten years old). As my niece said, we would not let a dog suffer that pain for 21 days.
I feel so strongly that terminal patients should be given the choice.

Totally agree. Because if he is determined it will be frm the balcony of their block of flats, a train, or another very messy alternative.

I thought the gentleman with mental health issues spoke so well and explained his situation so eloquently. Both he and his partner were fully committed to an AD for him. Why should he be denied it because his suffering is mostly mental rather than physical?

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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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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.

Totally Maw, but the choice should be there anyway.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Grandmabatty

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

Surely it is about the subject, not the personalities!

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!