Living and Dying Well Media Bulletin, 21st 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 20th 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 18th 2015, The Independent
“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 18th 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 20th 2015, The Scotsman
“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 18th 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 19th 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 19th 2015, The Times of India
“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.”