Assisted dying

Certainly strong safeguards are in place!

For more than twenty three years I have debited my bank account monthly to the favour of Dignity in Dying, (Dignity) and would not have done so without most careful study of the safeguards.

Mollygo

GrannyGravy13

Excellent end of life care should be routinely accessible to all.

I have concerns around coercion.

Today 19:10 Bridie22

I support assisted dying, but strong safeguards must be put in place before it is passed into law.

Today 20:36 Galaxy

It will pass into law and be a disaster for vulnerable people.

These say it all.
But doctors have already implemented assisted dying under different guises.
My mum was still asking if I thought she was going to die, when the treatment was already leaving her unable to live.
They called it a pathway . . .

Yes Mollygo.
I don’t really know what I think. One the one hand, it will help some people with serious illnesses, who are suffering and want to die, but on the other……

There was a programme on assisted dying I think some while ago with Miriam Margolyes which was very interesting but I can't remember the detail unfortunately. I certainly don't trust MPs making such decisions - they lack thought and information in my view on this type of subject.

An interesting link kalms thank you.

For me it helpfully highlights the struggle those with strong religious beliefs may have. However, no matter the strength of their beliefs it is wrong in my view for them to take precedence over differing beliefs and wishes.

With robust safeguarding protection in place my personal view is that the choice should be there. Assisted dying would be the right choice for some people, as it would be the wrong choice for others. Not everyone has a loving, caring family willing and able to support them to their end, not all will be sustained by religious beliefs. Even with the best medical care not all pain and physical challenges (eg being unable to swallow) are manageable. Our ability to tolerate pain and lack of dignity varies from person to person.

Personally I believe there are circumstances in which I would choose assisted dying safe in the knowledge my family would support my wishes while not manipulating the situation.

For me this debate is about choice. While it would be wrong to expect any medic to go against deeply held beliefs it would be equally wrong for those beliefs to block access for those who do not share them. How this can happen must surely be part of the debate.

I am not religious so that has no impact on me I am afraid.
This brilliant post on X did though.
The reason why the assisted dying bill will unfortunately pass will be because on one side there are the emotive personal stories which mainline straight into the 'be kind brain' and on the other side the cold hypotheticals about possible victims, whic will more than likely come true, but which have no clout at the moment.

www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4517/rr-3#:~:text=All%20types%20of%20Assisted%20suicide,the%20death%20of%20any%20person.

sassenach512

Those of us who have watched helplessly while our loved ones suffered a long lingering death will be glad of this vote being passed. I know both my parents and my sister would have chosen to have this option

My parents would have too sassenach I will never forget my Dad screaming in pain, or the husk of my Mum lingering on.

Great post by the way Kalm.

OldFrill

People with religious objections should abstain. The bill is about choice. I don't want my choice denied by others' religious dogma.

That is exactly why I support assisted dying; I object to people inflicting their religious beliefs on me and my decisions.

Yes if we are suggesting people should abstain if they are religious, can I suggest everyone who is comfortable financially, who has a supportive family, etc etc should abstain as their views impact some of the most vulnerable in society, of whom they are clueless. I am an atheist by the way.

Kalm 👏👏👏

On the assisted dying debate, and may be its a perception on my part. The media sets the framing of the debate in that a favourable outcome in parliament is somehow a progressive action. Any one against is somehow less civilised a bit like the same gender marriage vote. Just because a govt votes for something doesn’t make it right. All people have a set of values they cherish it doesn’t make them lesser people.

People with religious objections should abstain. The bill is about choice. I don't want my choice denied by others' religious dogma.

I support assisted dying having sat with my first husband and my dad in their final days

GrannyGravy13

MissInterpreted

I am absolutely in favour of it. Yes, safeguards would be needed to protect the vulnerable, but we should all have the right to die with dignity. We don't let our beloved pets linger on in suffering, so why should humans have to?

Humans are articulate and able to communicate their wishes, animals cannot, therefore owners go on vets advice…

I beg to differ. We have had Labradors our whole life and we knew when the time had come to let them go - we could tell that from them. Having witnessed both my mother and MiL die long, slow, lingering deaths from dementia, I would not wish that for myself or any more of my loved ones. When all quality of life has gone and all that remains is pain and suffering, what's the point in prolonging the agony? It's my life, I should have to right to choose to die when it has all become too much to bear - without fear of my loved ones facing any possible repercussions for helping me to do so.

I nursed my Mum for the last year of her life, until she went into a hospice, she had excellent pain relief and care throughout at home, my home and last eleven days in the hospice which was such a wonderful, happy place.

I also helped nurse my Granny 47 years ago, totally different scenario, stayed at home until hospitalised, died within 48 hours of being admitted.

Both savoured every breath, every second with family, every moment on earth, they held on didn’t want to die.

I appreciate this is personal, and we can only go on our feelings, but my spider senses are on high alert.

Is this an easy way, or dare I say cheaper way than good effective end of life care?

I have always believed in the mysteries and sanctity of life and, having been the final companion to three people who passed away, I believe in heavy palliative care till the end.

Sad subject. Don’t wish pain on anyone. I disagree agree with any path to assisted dying. There should be investment in powerful analgesic medicine, use of AI for medicinal compliance, not everyone is rational as we have seen with Brexit, people may be vulnerable to coercion and a speedy end may suit relatives. Mental health will play a big factor. Cognitive ability during intense pain can cause rash decisions.
Within Islam its a definite nono, the appointed time is set by Allah and the angels. Even when the angel of death known as Malaikul maut (malakh ha-mavet in Hebrew for jews) came to retrieve prophet muhammad’s soul the angel asked at the threshold of the noble home “may I enter” The prophet replied will my people be offered to question Allah’s judgment, the angel MM sought permission of Angel Jibril (Gabriel) who asked Allah the question, the answer was negative and the instruction came to MM to extract the soul. The prophet’s last words being Allah’s will is final.
Any suffering will wash away the sins for a better afterlife.
My last point is that politicians as we have seen are not to be trusted with people’s lives, they lie, cheat, bribe, cover up, party when a prince consort dies, they send people to illegal wars, they send arms to countries to kill and maim women and children. So the last thing we need is instructions on death from Starmer or any other politician.

Blinko

I’m in favour of choice at the end of life but also have concerns that some could be coerced. Safeguards would need to be put in place.

I read that in one country where there is choice - I think Canada was mentioned - where the means to end one’s life was made available, in the end up to 60% did not take that option.

I think the option should be there.

We have experience of this with relatives in Canada. My husband’s aunt was in her early nineties, she had always been active but in later years her mobility was limited, her eyesight was fading and she was having problems with her hearing. All the things she used to enjoy were taken away: walking, reading, puzzles, quizzes and dancing. She told us she prayed every night not to wake up the next morning. She applied for MAID and her application was granted, she was able to choose the time and place and who to have with her. She had time to say her goodbyes to her nearest and dearest and her two daughters were with her at the end. Soon after this my sister-in-law’s husband was diagnosed with MND, called ALS in Canada, he could have opted for MAID but chose not to, his suffering was very traumatic for my SIL and her husband’s family but it was his choice. I’m sure there will be safeguards in place and I hope the option will be there for everybody in this country who wants to end their suffering.

keepingquiet

I'm sorry but 'booking' your own death sounds like the stuff of nightmares to me.

And to me but what also gives me nightmares is imagining I will suffer the kind of death I have seen my mum and others suffer and this scares me more.

I'm sorry but 'booking' your own death sounds like the stuff of nightmares to me.

Those of us who have watched helplessly while our loved ones suffered a long lingering death will be glad of this vote being passed. I know both my parents and my sister would have chosen to have this option

GrannyGravy13

Excellent end of life care should be routinely accessible to all.

I have concerns around coercion.

Today 19:10 Bridie22

I support assisted dying, but strong safeguards must be put in place before it is passed into law.

Today 20:36 Galaxy

It will pass into law and be a disaster for vulnerable people.

These say it all.
But doctors have already implemented assisted dying under different guises.
My mum was still asking if I thought she was going to die, when the treatment was already leaving her unable to live.
They called it a pathway . . .

Smileless2012

I hope the majority vote in favour.

Me too x

I hope the majority vote in favour.