Casualty- Jan takes Gethin to Dignitas in Switzerland

That's interesting. Good to have a storyline that goes beyond patching up people in A & E and doing the usual charging 360 to bring them back.
I think Casualty is good at portraying long term illnesses too.

oh dear, is this where Paul at coronation st is heading also

why 'oh dear'? I never watch Coro, so no idea of current lines- but if someone has terminal illness, pain, loss of quality of life and/or dignity- isn't this a real positive choice. Of course should be available in the UK, and should not only be for those who can afford to travel, and often too early to ensure travel is possible. And without the loved one assisting and accompanying being treated as a criminal and threatened with legal action and even prison, for loving someone enough to want to be part there for them (not in Scotland).

The episode shows clearly how very carefully, and right up to the final decision- everything is put in place to show no cohercion, and not doubt or hesitation. BTW, this was at Dignitas, where a lethal potion is given 30 mins after the first potion is given to ensure no rejection. At some other clinics, like Pegasos or Life Circle, a intravenous injection is placed in the arm, with the person having to trigger the release themselves, which is even quicker with no fear of vomitting.

If you are in favour, do join the movement 'Dignity in Dying' which is fighting for this option to be available in the UK.

Irrespective of how you feel about Assisted Dying- do watch it on catch up, and come back to discuss.

I do wonder what the % of GNetters have a positive attitude to Assisted Dying, and would like this to be available, with similar guidelines as in Switzerland- to ensure NO coehercion, and NO hesitation, and FULL understanding- in the UK.

I belong to the Dignity in Dying, so yes I support assisted dying being available in the UK.

Oh dear, I should have put 'organisation' after Dignity in Dying!

Thank you choughdancer - did you watch Casualty on Saturday. It was very well done, and very moving. And showed clearly the steps taken to ensure it is 100% the person's clear decision.

I thought it did an excellent job of showing that, not only can the person opt out at any stage in the process, but also that the final discussion and ingestion of whatever chemical is used is filmed and scrutinised by the police, to ensure that no Swiss law is broken.

Yes, the police is called the minute the person dies, and the video of the final interview and act, given to the Police. NO slippery slope at all.

Fleurpepper, I am yet to watch it. I am all for assisted dying. I wonder if there is anything they do to prevent vomitting .

Yes, very well shown in the episode. A anti-emetic drink given 30 minutes before. However, as said above, there are other organisations, like LifeCircle and Pegasos- where a drip is put up and the person has to trigger flow- which does not cause nausea and is even faster.

Well explained here

pegasos-association.com/requirements/

I have always been a champion of assisted dying. Our pets do not have to suffer so why should we?

I thought it was very well-researched and there were no ifs or buts. It was very clear.

I am all for assisted dying, but the problem is with dementia. You don’t get the chance because you cannot up to the last minute say you want to do it.
I did say to my doctor awhile ago, I should be able to come to you with my solicitor and make my wishes clear,if I am terminally ill or have severe dementia that I would be eligible for assisted dying, he agreed with me but said it won’t happen any time soon. 😬
I have yet to watch this, but I did watch the Terry Pratchett documentary a few years ago, where he accompanied a man to Dignitas ,it was very very moving, especially as Terry did die of this terrible disease eventually..

Dementia and Alzheimers are a very difficult situation with regard to assisted dying, even in Switzerland. If the person is not fully compos mentis on last minute interview, even if very clear at the initial interview- it is too late.

The only choice in such cases, is to choose to go at the onset, when the person could still have months and perhaps years of good quality life ahead. I understand the only place where this could be permitted, with very clear advanced directives, is in Holland.

Yes I watched it so moving and an emotional episode to watch bot actors were amazing brought to attention the process some people have to go through

Fleurpepper

Thank you choughdancer - did you watch Casualty on Saturday. It was very well done, and very moving. And showed clearly the steps taken to ensure it is 100% the person's clear decision.

I haven't yet but hoping to on catch up.

Just watched it; SO moving and beautifully acted.

I don't want to introduce a spoiler, so I will just say that what disturbed me most was what happened when Jan got home to face the unexpected consequences .

Based on true cases- the police afterwards, often because someone in family or neighbour. Not the case in Scotland.

Google 'wife who helped husband to go to die in switzerland is questionned by police' and you will find lots of examples.

Fleurpepper

If you are in favour, do join the movement 'Dignity in Dying' which is fighting for this option to be available in the UK.

Thank you for this information- I have just signed Prue Leith's open letter.

Of course it should be available on the NHS in the UK.