Author: Not Dead Yet UK

The Rob Marris Assisted Dying Bill will be debated in the House of Commons on the 11th of September, as soon as Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess. There is an opportunity to lobby MPs before they go away for the summer. There may be some money available to help with costs. Find out more at the end of this information.

Glyn Davies MP is sponsoring a lobby day to enable those concerned about Rob Marris’s Assisted Dying Bill to speak directly to their MP.

This will run from 1-3pm on Tuesday 14th July, in the Boothroyd Room in Portcullis House, Parliament.

This is the most effective way of lobbying to a tight timescale, and, if it is well attended, will have real impact.

You need to send a request to your MP (MP email addresses are available here http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/) asking them to come along to the Boothroyd Room between 1 and 3pm.

You could say something like:

“I will be in the Boothroyd Room from 1-3pm on 14 July and, as one of your constituents, I would like to speak to you at some point during this time about the Rob Marris’s Assisted Dying Bill and the dangers it presents for older and disabled people. It is difficult and expensive for me as a disabled person to get to Parliament. I would appreciate it if you would confirm that you are able to make time to see me at some point between 1-3pm on the day.”

Even if you get a negative answer, do come anyway – pressure can be put on MPs to meet on the day itself, when it will be very difficult to refuse.

Baroness Finlay, Co-Chair of Living and Dying Well, had an article published in the Huffington Post yesterday in which she highlighted the dangers of Rob Marris’ Assisted Dying Bill, introduced in the House of Commons yesterday:

‘The Assisted Dying Bill Brings Danger Not Comfort’ June 24^th 2015, The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/baroness-ilora-finlay/assisted-dying-bill_b_7643276.html?utm_hp_ref=uk&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

‘Lord Farmer: Improving palliative care’, June 23^rd 2015, Politics Home

On the day of his oral question in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Lord Farmer had an article published in Politics Home: https://www.politicshome.com/health-and-care/articles/opinion/house-lords/lord-farmer-improving-palliative-care

 Politics Home had lined up a riposte from Dignity in Dying, which was published at the same time as Lord Farmer’s article: https://www.politicshome.com/health-and-care/articles/opinion/dignity-dying/false-choice-assisted-dying-vs-palliative-care

‘Lord Farmer: Evidence for physician-assisted suicide ‘is far from reassuring’ June 24^th 2015, Politics Home

https://www.politicshome.com/document/press-release/house-commons/lord-farmer-evidence-physician-assisted-suicide-far-reassuring

“Commenting on Dignity in Dying’s response to his debate on palliative care, Lord Farmer says a change to the law on assisted suicide could put pressure on patients who fear being a burden.”

‘Assisted dying’ June 23^rd 2015, The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/23/assisted-dying-bill-will-fuel-a-rise-in-suicides

Agnes Fletcher, Director of Living and Dying Well, had a letter published in The Guardian about the new Bill:

[USA] ‘She wanted to die: Why assisted-suicide shouldn’t be for those in the fog of depression’ June 22^nd 2015, The Hamilton Spectator

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5689116-she-wanted-to-die-why-assisted-suicide-shouldn-t-be-for-those-in-the-fog-of-depression/

“We often don’t recognize even ourselves, the people we once were, when we were broken and despairing.”

[Belgium] ‘A Healthy 24-Year-Old Woman Has Asked Doctors to Kill Her’ June 22^nd 2015, IJR Review

http://www.ijreview.com/2015/06/351760-doctors-kill-healthy-24-year-old-assisted-suicide-case-people-reeling/

“Belgium has gone euthanasia-crazy over the past few years. The tiny European nation not only euthanizes patients who are terminally ill, but now does the same for those facing mental health issues.”

[USA] ‘California aid-in-dying bill hits roadblock’ June 23^rd 2015, SF Gate

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Aid-in-dying-bill-hits-roadblock-6345277.php

“Legislation that would allow dying patients to end their lives with doctor-prescribed drugs hit its biggest hurdle Tuesday after several Democrats on a key committee expressed reservations prior to a vote. Bill supporters postponed the vote to July 7 after it became clear they did not have the 10 votes needed to pass the legislation out of the 19-member Assembly Health Committee. They’re now attempting to gain more support.”

Follow LDW on Twitter @Live_Die_Well

 

This is a revised up to date version of our Frequently Asked Questions and Answer Sheet. Hope it proves useful.

 Q.1 Campaigners for ‘assisted dying’ in the UK say they want to change the law for terminally ill people, not for people with disabilities. So why should people with disabilities feel threatened by the campaigning?

A. Terminal illness and disability are not mutually exclusive. Many people who are terminally ill are disabled people of one sort or another as well. Many long-term conditions, like (for example, Parkinson’s or MS, which involve disabilities can be life-shortening and can have successive ups and downs throughout their course. During any one of these ups and downs it would be possible for a doctor to say that the person concerned could be ‘reasonably expected’ to die within six months. Yet they are not terminally ill.

Q2 But why shouldn’t mentally competent adults who are seriously ill and suffering have the choice of physician-assisted suicide if they want it. After all, no one is going to be forced to have it?

A. Assisting a suicide is a serious matter. The law we have is there to protect us from malicious pressure or manipulation by others, who may have an interest in seeing us dead, and from ourselves too – from harming ourselves because we are depressed or feel a burden on others. It’s all very well to talk glibly about being mentally competent, but serious illness and disability are stressful experiences. It’s one thing to say whether someone who wants to ‘end it all’ is compos mentis, but it’s perfectly possible to be compos mentis and still be suffering from depression. The so-called safeguards that are being talked about may sound reassuring to the layman, but the reality is very different..

Q3. But isn’t it true to say that legalised assisted suicide is working well in Oregon?

A. No, it isn’t! The number of deaths annually in Oregon from legalised assisted suicide is now between six and seven times the number when the law came into force. Oregon’s current death rate from this source would lead to over 1,500 assisted suicides a year in England and Wales if we had a similar law here. And there is no sign of this rising trend coming to an end. Then there is the practice of ‘doctor shopping’ – people asking their doctors for assisted suicide but being refused and going from one doctor to another until they find a compliant one , who knows little about them beyond their case notes and who is, by definition, someone who may see suicide as a reasonable response to terminal illness. And recent research has shown that some people suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression are getting through the net in Oregon and being given suicide drugs to end their lives. Is this the sort of thing we want to see happening here in Britain?

The campaigning groups claim there has been no abuse of Oregon’s law and no demand for its extension. But there is no system in place in Oregon to scrutinise how requests for assisted suicide are being handled. It is impossible to know therefore whether there has been abuse. Moreover, we are now seeing attempts in the Oregon legislature to extend the definition of terminal illness to include people with an estimated 12 months to live.

Q4. Public opinion supports a change in the law. What right have you to oppose it?

A. Public opinion supported going to war in 1914 and appeasement in the 1930s; and opinion polls now regularly show support for the return of capital punishment and banning all immigration. You can’t safely decide complex and controversial issues like this on the basis of opinion polls.     And, when you examine opinion poll results carefully, you   often see that they do not say what the campaigning groups claim.

Moreover, surveys of doctors – the people who know what ‘assisted suicide’ means and who would be in the front line if it were to be legalised – show that the majority are opposed to legalisation and that only around one in seven would be prepared to have anything to do with it.

It’s all very well asking people hypothetical questions in opinion polls. As a select committee on ‘assisted dying’ was told by experts five years ago, most people know little about the subject apart from the sensationalist stories they read in the press and their responses can often be ‘kneejerk’ reactions to loaded questions about ‘choice’ and ‘suffering’. But, as people with disabilities, we are the people in the firing line who would be put at risk if the law were to be changed.

Q5. But isn’t the law as it stands cruel?

A. The law that we have has a stern face but an understanding heart. It holds serious penalties in reserve to deter abuse and manipulation. But, where assisted suicide does occur, the Crown Prosecution Service looks at the evidence carefully and, where it is clear that assistance has been reluctant and in response to persistent requests by a suffering individual, charges are not brought. It combines deterrence with compassion: it gives us the best of both worlds.

What the campaigners want to do is to replace this with a licensing system in advance. But enabling laws have a habit of encouraging the acts they enable. And, in any case, once an act of assisted suicide had been licensed, who is to say that no coercion or pressure has been applied before the act is actually carried out.

 

 

Not Dead Yet UK video blog. News about the Assisted Dying Bill and the Director of Public Prosecutions change in the guidelines to the prosecution of those who assist with a suicide. Also an interview with Nikki Kenward. NDY UK Blog Videocast

Legislation that would give terminally ill patients the right to die is to be debated by the House of Commons.

The Labour MP Rob Marris, who topped the ballot for private members’ bills, is to adopt draft regulations drawn up by Lord Falconer.

The bill proposed by the former lord chancellor and justice secretary ran out of time in the Lords during the last parliament.

The assisted dying bill would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose to terminally ill patients judged to have six months or less to live and who request it.

The bill put forward by Marris is expected to be debated on 11 September.

Not Dead Yet UK is totally opposed to any change in the law on Assisted Suicide and will mount a vigorous campaign to prevent a change in the current law.

Listen to Lord Falconer and Agnes Fletcher from Living and Dying Well discussing some of the issues.

Discussion between Lord Falconer and Agnes Fletcher on the Assisted Suicide

Visit this site for regular updates on our campaign.

[UK] ‘Dignitas death sparks renewed controversy over assisted suicide law’ 26^th May 2015, The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11629012/Dignitas-death-sparks-renewed-controversy-over-assisted-suicide-law.html ‘Jeffrey Spector, who took his own life at the notorious Swiss clinic despite not being terminally ill, admitted: “I am jumping the gun”’

 [UK] The Metro have opened an online opinion poll on whether assisted suicide should be legalised in response: http://metro.co.uk/2015/05/26/poll-should-assisted-suicide-be-legal-in-britain-5215313/#ixzz3bGVSBJw9

[UK] ‘Man who killed himself at Dignitas explains decision in film’ 26^th May 2015, The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/26/jeffrey-spector-assisted-dying-dignitas-tumour-paralysis-explains-decision ‘Businessman Jeffrey Spector, who was diagnosed with inoperable tumour on his spine that would have led to paralysis, used film to discuss assisted dying.’

[UK] ‘’No one knows what the people who use Dignitas are going through, but they are the lucky ones’ 26^th May 2015, The Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11629055/Noone-knows-what-the-people-who-use-Dignitas-are-going-through-but-they-are-the-lucky-ones.html ‘Campaigner Jane Nicklinson, whose husband Tony passed away in 2012 after a lost seven-year High Court battle, on their struggle to find dignity in death’

 There has also been coverage in relation to the MSP vote on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill, due to be debate on Wednesday, May 27^th:

 [Scotland] ‘Petition opposes assisted suicide’ May 21^st 2015, The Extra

http://www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk/news/scottish-headlines/petition-opposes-assisted-suicide-1-3779614

‘Campaigners opposed to allowing assisted suicide in Scotland have delivered a 15,300-signature petition to Holyrood ahead of the vote on the legislation next week.’

 [Scotland] ‘Survey finds support for proposals to legalise assisted suicide’ May 24^th 2015, STV

http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/1321433-survey-finds-support-for-proposals-to-legalise-assisted-suicide/

‘Almost three-quarters of adults support proposals to legalise assisted suicide in principle, according to a new poll published ahead of a vote on legislation next week. MSPs will debate and vote on the general principles of the Assisted Suicide Bill when it comes before Holyrood on Wednesday.’

 [Scotland] ‘Assisted suicide bill in doubt’ May 24^th 2015, The Times

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/scotland/article1560253.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2015_05_23

‘With Holyrood to debate the issue on Wednesday, a new poll suggests that support for the law change is ebbing away, writes Jason Allardyce’

[Scotland] ‘Muslim leaders intervene in assisted suicide debate and urge MSPs to block Bill at Holyrood vote’ May 26^th 2015, The Herald

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/muslim-leaders-intervene-in-assisted-suicide-debate-and-urge-msps-to-bloc.127073820 The spiritual leaders of Scotland’s Muslim community have called for politicians to vote against a controversial law that would legalise assisted suicide.

 

Living and Dying Well Media Bulletin, 21^st May 2015

The Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman released its report ‘Dying without Dignity’ yesterday morning. It reported that ‘End of life care could be improved for up to 355,000 people a year in England’.

The report can be accessed at: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/reports-and-consultations/reports/health/dying-without-dignity

The press release can be found at: http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/about-us/news-centre/press-releases/2015/too-many-people-dying-without-dignity,-ombudsman-service-report-finds

In response, Baroness Finlay was interviewed by Sky News, Radio 5 live and LBC News.

She notes that: ‘Everyone at the end of life needs access to comprehensive, seven day a week expert care to ensure that what they experience, and what lives on in the memories of those left behind, is the good death that we aim to make possible for everyone.’

Agnes Fletcher, Director of Living and Dying Well, has submitted a letter to The Telegraph (publication forthcoming), in which she writes: ‘clinical expertise exists and, despite these tragic cases, is experienced by many. The challenge is to ensure that good quality end of life care services are available around the clock and regardless of age, where we live, our level of education and type of illness. Free social care at the end of life, as recommended in March by the Health Select Committee, would keep many more people in their own homes and out of hospital – better for those of us who would prefer to die at home and better for our overstretched hospitals.’

The story was picked up by (amongst others):

·         The Telegraph – http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11616968/Too-many-are-dying-without-dignity-health-ombudsman-warns.html

·         The Guardian – http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/20/too-many-die-without-dignity-report-end-of-life-care-nhs

·         The Times – http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/leaders/article4446484.ece

·         ITV News http://www.itv.com/news/2015-05-20/too-many-patients-are-dying-without-dignity/

·         Sky News – http://news.sky.com/story/1487209/too-many-people-are-dying-without-dignity

·         BBC News –http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-32797768

The Independent (May 20^th 2015) report that: “Many elderly people approach the end of their lives with a degree of acceptance. They do not fear death but they do fear dying. This report shows why. It is what leads to debate over assisted suicide, travelling to Dignitas in Switzerland and the rights and wrongs of giving death a helping hand. Yet with good palliative care, a good death is not just possible – it should be routine.” http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/many-have-a-fear-of-dying–this-report-shows-why-10262052.html

Similar stories have also arisen in response to the Dying Matters Awareness Week that is currently taking place:

[UK] ‘While medicine gets better, dying gets worse: Doctors are so good at saving lives that we forget about death’ May 18^th 2015, The Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/while-medicine-gets-better-dying-gets-worse-doctors-are-so-good-at-saving-lives-that-we-forget-about-death-10257927.html

“Junior doctors still leave medical school – as I did – ill-equipped to care for the dying”

[UK] ‘Medics must realise that death is an inevitable part of life, not a failure’ May 18^th 2015, The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2015/may/18/death-inevitable-part-of-life-not-failure

“Over the course of next parliament, approximately 3 million people in the UK can be expected to die, half of whom are likely to die in hospital – which for many people is the last place they would like to die.”

In other news:

[Scotland] ‘MSPs to vote on assisted suicide next week’ May 20^th 2015, The Scotsman

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/msps-to-vote-on-assisted-suicide-next-week-1-3778137

“Campaigners against assisted suicide are to hand in a 15,000 strong petition at Parliament opposing the plans with MSPs poised to vote on the measure next Wednesday.”

[The Netherlands] ‘Dutch court: Euthanasia no longer requires a doctor’s order’ May 18^th 2015, World Magazine

http://www.worldmag.com/2015/05/dutch_court_euthanasia_no_longer_requires_a_doctor_s_order

“A Dutch appeals court has cleared a man charged with assisting his 99-year-old mother to commit suicide in a case that could expand the country’s euthanasia laws.”

[USA] ‘Calif. Medical Association drops opposition to assisted death’ May 19^th 2015, The News Tribune

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/05/19/3800032/calif-medical-association-drops.html

“SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — The California Medical Association has become the first state medical association in the nation to drop opposition to what has long been known as “physician-assisted suicide,” it said, acknowledging a shift in doctor and patient attitudes about end-of-life and aid-in-dying options.”

[India] ‘Clarity from SC, dialogue on euthanasia need of the hour’ may 19^th 2015, The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Clarity-from-SC-dialogue-on-euthanasia-need-of-the-hour/articleshow/47335724.cms

“The death of Aruna Shanbagh has brought into focus the urgent need for clarity from the Supreme Court on the issue of withholding or withdrawing futile medical treatment. While passing a judgement related to Aruna Shanbagh, the Supreme Court seems to have created some confusion by referring to “passive euthanasia” Dr Nagesh Simha, President of the Indian Association of Palliative Care tells Rema Nagarajan how it is ethical to withhold or withdraw futile medical intervention and the urgent need for clarity in the law.”

 

 

Living and Dying Well Media Bulletin, 12 May 2015

[UK] ‘Falconer returns to front bench’, The Law Society Gazette, 11 May 2015

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/falconer-returns-to-front-bench/5048765.article

“Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the former lord chancellor who oversaw the creation of the Ministry of Justice under Tony Blair, is to replace Sadiq Khan as shadow justice secretary, Labour acting leader Harriet Harman revealed today.”

 [New Zealand] ‘SA right-to-die case may help NZ woman’ Independent Online News, 10 May 2015

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/sa-right-to-die-case-may-help-nz-woman-1.1856334#.VVIokY5VhHw

“On Saturday New Zealand-born Professor Sean Davison, who founded the organisation Dignity SA, which backed the local assisted suicide case and which now backs the New Zealand case, told Weekend Argus it was apparent the South African ruling was having an international impact.”

 [Scotland] ‘MSPs set to reject flawed assisted suicide proposal’, Scotland Catholic Observer, 8 May 8 2015

http://www.sconews.co.uk/latest-edition/44960/msps-set-to-reject-flawed-assisted-suicide-proposal/

“The Scottish Parliament appears poised to reject the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill after the Holyrood committee reviewing the controversial legislation said that it contained ‘significant flaws.’”

 

[South Africa] ‘Justice Dept concerned as assisted suicide applications increase’, Eyewitness News, 8 May 2015

http://ewn.co.za/2015/05/08/Justice-Dept-concerned-as-assisted-suicide-applications-increase

“Last week, the High Court in Pretoria granted terminal cancer patient Robin Stransham-Ford his request for an assisted death. While the department plans to appeal this ruling, it says the case has now opened the doors for many others.”

 [Australia] ‘Vic end of life inquiry set up’ The Daily Mail, 7 May 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-3071423/Vic-voluntary-euthanasia-inquiry-set-up.html

“Victoria’s parliament has voted to launch an inquiry into end of life issues and palliative care.

The upper house decided on the action on Thursday after an original bid to hand the task to the Victorian Law Reform Commission failed to get up.”