mike1937 wrote:Trish
The people of Switzerland solved it so I say who has any legal right to prevent us from making the same decisions in the UK.
What you said is what I have always said and I believe that there would be avery large majority saying YES if we had a national referndum, even to change the law against prosecution for anyone helping the patient to go to Switzerland where it IS legal.
Mike
Hi Mike,
I agree with you, its nothing short of barbaric to withold these rights from people for whom its a big enough decision anyway without the law sticking its nose in. OK, its accepted that safeguards have to be in place to protect vulnerable people but I dont really see that as being too much of a problem for a society like the BMA - it isnt as if we are way back in the era of the Asylum when two signatures could condemn a young woman to life in purgatory on earth for the 'sin' of getting pregnant out of wedlock etc.! It is hoped that we have moved on considerably since those days.
I just found this which is a bit of a move in the right direction imo..... the address of the site i got it from is at the bottom of the piece.....
Trish
Leading campaign group launches advance decision toolkit
Toolkit will give appropriate professional guidance on the refusal of life-sustaining treatment
Dignity in Dying, the UK’s leading organisation campaigning for greater patient choice at the end of life, has today launched a comprehensive advance decision toolkit.
The Toolkit, which was commissioned by the Department of Health, will inform healthcare professionals of the issues surrounding the decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment, as stated in an advance decision.
The Department of Health invested in the development of the Toolkit when the refusal of treatment section of advance decisions became legally binding after under the 2005 Mental Capacity Act.
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
“It is highly important that health professionals have a clear understanding of advance decisions if they are to work to the maximum benefit of the patient.
“Since the Mental Capacity Act came into force, many people are choosing to make advance decisions to maintain more control over their health.”
The Toolkit covers areas such as the recent change of law and its practical implications, good practice and caring for patients with advance decisions.
Wootton continued, “Health professionals have an important role to play in educating the public of the benefits of making an advance decision.”
Notes to editor:
The provisions of the Mental Capacity Act around advance decisions to refuse life-sustaining treatment came into force in October 2007. Failure to comply with a valid and applicable advance decision could lead to a claim for damages for battery or a criminal charge of assault.
About Dignity in Dying
We support:
• Patient choice at the end of life
• Improvements in palliative care in all settings
• A dignified death for all
Voluntary Euthenasia (Legally assisted suicide) for the terminally ill who choose it : click here to read the entire thread »