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Why we need an assisted dying law in the UK

Why we need an assisted dying law in the UK. Dignity in Dying. The campaign to change the UK law to allow the choice of an assisted death for terminally ill, mentally competent adults who are suffering intolerably. Lesley Close, Dignity in Dying patron. Why do I campaign for assisted dying?.

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Why we need an assisted dying law in the UK

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  1. Why we need an assisted dying law in the UK

  2. Dignity in Dying The campaign to change the UK law to allow the choice of an assisted death for terminally ill, mentally competent adults who are suffering intolerably. Lesley Close, Dignity in Dying patron

  3. Why do I campaign for assisted dying? My brother’s life

  4. Why do I campaign for assisted dying? My brother’s death

  5. What is assisted dying? • A terminally ill, mentally competent adult, takes prescribed medication which will end their life. • Two doctors are required to assess the patient to confirm that the patient is mentally competent, is making their own choice, that their condition is terminal and that they have are likely to die of their condition in six months or less. • If assessment leads to approval, there is a two-week period of reflection during which the case would be checked by a High Court Judge before the patient could receive the life-ending medication.

  6. Assisted dying is different to assisted suicide and euthanasia Assisted dying – terminally ill, mentally competent adults are in control of the manner and timing of their death. Six states in the USA including California and Oregon Assisted suicide – chronically ill and/or disabled adults are given help to end their lives. Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada Voluntary euthanasia – terminally ill adults, sometimes chronically ill or disabled, are helped by doctors to end their lives. Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands

  7. What is the current law in the UK? • The 1961 Suicide Act bans someone assisting another person to die. • Nonetheless, the Director of Public Prosecutions issued guidelines which show that the law turns a blind eye to compassionate amateur assistance to die. • The current law does not protect vulnerable people. There are no safeguards as cases are only investigated after someone dies. • The current law does not allow dying patients to seek advice from their healthcare professionals about assisted dying.

  8. The current law is broken It’s inhumane • People suffer horrific deaths • Even the best palliative care cannot relief all suffering • Some people take matters in to their own hands and attempt to commit suicide, often violent and botched • Some people decide to exercise control over the time and manner of their death by refusing food and water We claim to be a humane and compassionate society and yet we allow people to suffer in ways that is illegal for our pets

  9. The current law is broken It’s unjust • In 2016 every eight days someone travelled to Dignitas in Switzerland to have an assisted death • There is significant cost to travelling abroad for an assisted death – financial, emotional and physical • Often those who travel die earlier than would have liked, in unfamiliar surroundings, and fear for their loved ones on their return Why should only those who can afford it have a good death? Why should only those who have the knowledge, or the support of family members, have choice and control while others have to suffer in the UK?

  10. The current law is broken It’s outdated and unclear • We are a liberal society that values personal freedom • We allow people to starve themselves and refuse treatment, but not end their lives peacefully • We pride ourselves on a free NHS and yet lawmakers think that paying £1000s to travel to Switzerland is a solution to the problem • There is silence – healthcare professionals cannot speak to their patients and organisations cannot provide advice

  11. Challenging the law Through Parliament • 2014: Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill introduced to House of Lords and had majority support but ran out of time • 2015: Assisted Dying Bill introduced by Rob Marris to House of Commons – rejected 3:1 Through the courts • 2017: Noel Conway case – ongoing • 2014: Tony Nicklinson case – lost • 2009: Debbie Purdy case – won • 2002: Diane Pretty case – lost

  12. Noel Conway’s legal case Noel Conway has terminal motor neurone disease and wants the choice and ability to die with dignity. Dignity in Dying is supporting him as he seeks a judicial review of the current law prohibiting assisted suicide. “If I let nature take its course, I could effectively become entombed in my own body … or I may die by suffocation or choking.” Noel Conway

  13. Assisted dying laws work abroad cid:c6075831-5221-463a-bf50-13418449a989@icloud.com Assisted dying legislation exists in several US states including Oregon, California and Washington DC. Canada (June 2016), the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Switzerland have legislation which allows people to seek assistance die.

  14. Public support 82% of the general public support a change in the law on assisted dying • MPs voted 3 to 1 against Rob Marris’ Assisted Dying Bill in September 2015, despite overwhelming public support. • MPs said during the debate that the status quo is less dangerous than changing the law: this is not true as the current situation does not have any safeguards. • MPs say they didn’t have enough time to understand the Bill. • Politicians are influenced by some of our vocal opponents. Politicians do not accurately represent the views of the British people

  15. ‘Professional’ support • Inter-faith leaders for Dignity in Dying (IFDID) has over 50 members from different denominations. • Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying (HPAD) has over 1,000 practicing, retired and student members covering a broad range of professions, from nurses to surgeons, GPs to psychiatrists. • Disabled Activists for Dignity in Dying (DADID) does what it says, in the face of opposition from groups which say they represent members. Professional and membership bodies do not accurately represent the views of their members

  16. What do we do next? The team at Dignity in Dying will . . . • continue to challenge the courts, like the Noel Conway case • challenge the British Medical Association to move to a neutral position • put pressure on MPs through the growth of our local campaign movement, public support and media priority and by building a powerful network of supportive MPs in Parliament and • work with MPs to introduce another Bill, and another . . . until the law is changed, hopefully before 2035

  17. Choice, dignity and compassion

  18. For more information and to get involved contact Dignity in Dying Website - www.dignityindying.org.uk Email - activism@dignityindying.org.uk Telephone - 020 7479 7730 Twitter - @dignityindying Facebook – www.facebook.com/dignityindying

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