| Assisted dying, is complex and contentious. While proponents argue it offers a compassionate option for those suffering unbearable pain, opponents raise serious ethical concerns. The UK Parliament is debating MP Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales this month with a vote next week, 29th November 2024. The i newspaper reported that 54% of MPs favour a change in the law, 35% are opposed and 11% are undecided. The reality is that hundreds of UK citizens go to Switzerland to die annually. There are founded concerns about assisted dying. Is it right for one person to assist another to their death? Is it fair to have autonomy and the ability to choose when to die? It may lead to a broader acceptance of euthanasia. This may lead to others making the decision to use euthanasia. There may be coercion by those who are not terminally ill, if the scope is to include unbearable suffering, such as in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. Vulnerable individuals, such as those facing financial strain, social isolation, or pressure from family members, might feel compelled to opt for assisted dying against their true wishes. What does it mean, ‘do no harm’ does that include assisting someone to end their life? Palliative care may change to assisted death. Religious objections that life is to be cherished and not ended. The NHS funding for palliative care is inadequate and most care is delivered by charities with a lot of funding from fundraising. This needs to change, we need to be sure that everyone has a dignified and as comfortable departure from this world as possible. We know that some patients wait for hospice places and others die waiting on acute admission wards in hospital. Strengthening palliative care may lessen the fear of a painful and undignified death. Those currently lacking access to comprehensive palliative care may choose to hasten their death. Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice ensured that patients were regularly reminded, ‘they matter’. In the US state of California, about 1 in 80 patients in hospice care opt for assisted dying. There needs to be robust safeguards to protect the vulnerable. We need to discuss death and any wishes openly so that informed decisions are made. |
