Euthanasia need to be considered in UK?

[Mr Jack]

It's a slippery slope though once you start allowing it people will feel forced into it if they feel they're a burden on the family.

This is obviously a valid concern, but there's precious little evidence of it being a major problem in countries where it has been allowed. Some examples were raised upthread but they were few in number and in every case they were from people who didn't undergo euthanasia, i.e. the safeguards worked. I don't believe that it is a justification for forcing people to undergo months or years of suffering.

And then how long before mental health reasons are added to the list of qualifying illnesses? It's a can of worms to be opened, and once it's opened there's no going back.

That's the hope, yes: forward movement. This legislation opens the door, and then things can improve from there and things like extreme mental illness can get included.

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

Because it costs money to treat people! Some wouldn't care, they think it's an endless supply. Some realise that money spent on keeping someone in a bed stops someone else being treated.

Doctors have no financial gain from a bed being empty or full. This isn't the US where doctors are taking money from drug companies and insurance companies.

 

[Stoddy]

Seeing a lot of posts regarding people being forced/coerced etc. These are the steps required in Australia

What is the process for voluntary assisted dying?​

The exact process differs slightly from state to state, but the basic process involves these steps:

1. A person requests VAD from an eligible medical practitioner.
2. The same eligible medical practitioner does an eligibility assessment for VAD.
3. A second eligible medical practitioner does an eligibility assessment for VAD.
4. The person requests for VAD again, in writing.
5. The person makes a final request for VAD.
6. Officials authorise VAD.
7. An eligible healthcare practitioner prescribes and dispenses VAD medicine.
8. Either:
   • an eligible person takes VAD medicine, or
   • an eligible healthcare practitioner gives the eligible person VAD medicine

If you take the VAD medicine yourself (known as self-administration), you can choose a suitable time and place to do so. If you wish, other people, such as friends and family, can be there.

If VAD medicine is given by a healthcare practitioner, most states require a witness.

It's important to remember that you can withdraw (stop) your request for VAD at any time, even after you have had an assessment or made a request in writing.

 

[Stu999]

Vote is on Friday with MPs having a free vote:

Will assisted dying vote pass? It's far from clear

This week the House of Commons will make a decision that could have consequences for decades.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

If this vote fails I'll give up on this country. How in 2024 could we be so backward in how we treat people at the end of their lives

 

[Mr Jack]

I think it'll pass this vote but fail at third reading.

 

[200sols]

If this vote fails I'll give up on this country. How in 2024 could we be so backward in how we treat people at the end of their lives

The religious crowd are pushing their backward views very hard.

 

[tres]

If this vote fails I'll give up on this country. How in 2024 could we be so backward in how we treat people at the end of their lives

As I'm sure it's been mentioned dozens of times in this thread, a more beneficial and sensible starting place would be to fund and improve access to proper palliative care. That will go the furthest to improve how we treat people at the end of their lives.

 

[tres]

Because it costs money to treat people! Some wouldn't care, they think it's an endless supply. Some realise that money spent on keeping someone in a bed stops someone else being treated.

You talk nonsense.

 

[martin363]

Personally if they don't legislate to allow this, and I find myself in a serious health situation in the future I will take myself out. I have seen too many family and friends decline painfully over prolonged periods... and we don't allow that for dogs. People need to be allowed the choice, with a sensible legal framework and safeguards - there is the challenge.

 

[Pipe & Slippers]

My GP Brother-in-law in New Zealand is involved with the assisted dying regime and he says it’s been the most rewarding part of his (v long) career. He said he’s never had such a grateful bunch of patients

 

[Btone]

i very much hope that they bring this in. ive had 2 family members die if cancer, and it seems to me palliative care is nothing more than getting the people that stoned they don't feel pain, in the last few weeks of my fathers life he just sat in a chair/bed. we had to everything for him, and while the nurse said he wasn't in pain. you could see it in his eyes that he was

 

[413x]

If this vote fails I'll give up on this country. How in 2024 could we be so backward in how we treat people at the end of their lives

I kind of expect it to fail. Because for some reason my views on many things are completely opposite to how UK goes.

It boggles my mind.
People voting on this are generally the wrong side of middle aged. You'd think enough of them have seen loved ones suffer.

How on earth In today's world can a vote on this fail with so many of the public in favour.

 

[413x]

i very much hope that they bring this in. ive had 2 family members die if cancer, and it seems to me palliative care is nothing more than getting the people that stoned they don't feel pain, in the last few weeks of my fathers life he just sat in a chair/bed. we had to everything for him, and while the nurse said he wasn't in pain. you could see it in his eyes that he was

Seen same. You put a dog down because it's the right thing to do.
It is the hardest thing to do but also the greatest gift that not even us humans in UK get.

Its utter cruelty to force life on terminally ill people in agonising pain. It makes me angry. Not much makes me angry but the thought of this failing does.

 

[MatsyLR]

I have nothing against it as long as there are necessary checks in place to avoid abuse.

Although to me I think anyone should have the right to end their own life even someone physical fit who just wants it to end. As long as its an adult capable of rational thought and there is a process in place to explain why (help with mental issues that may prompt the ask) and deal with the consequences that come after.

I for one know if I get to a point where I can't look after myself I'd rather end it than burden others to do it. Doesn't matter what age or reason. If I could sign something saying put me down if I ever get to that point I'd happily sign it.

 

[Mr Badger]

Why not give people the option? After all, it is *our* painful death isn't it? If you don't agree with it then fine, don't consider it for your own terminal illness.

I look at the other countries and parts of the USA who allow it under strict regulations, afaik there aren't a load of horror stories coming out about people bumped off for nefarious reasons.

It's an absolute travesty we don't have a choice imo. Oh I forgot, if you have the cash and don't mind dying alone and unnecessarily early we do, in Switzerland.

^FTFY

It's not just the cost, you need to be well enough to travel to Switzerland. Which could well mean having to "check out" and leave your loved ones early, rather than being able to wait and exercise the option at home when things became unbearable.

 

[Mr Badger]

I have nothing against it as long as there are necessary checks in place to avoid abuse.

Although to me I think anyone should have the right to end their own life even someone physical fit who just wants it to end. As long as its an adult capable of rational thought and there is a process in place to explain why (help with mental issues that may prompt the ask) and deal with the consequences that come after.

I for one know if I get to a point where I can't look after myself I'd rather end it than burden others to do it. Doesn't matter what age or reason. If I could sign something saying put me down if I ever get to that point I'd happily sign it.

Suicide is already really popular and is reported as being the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK.

For me the two key things about making assisted dying legally available should be:

1) The option to go out painlessly when there is no prospect of recovery and the suffering is too much. At this stage you may well be too ill to take matters into your own hands.

2) A living will where you could elect in advance to depart in a dignified manner when it has been certified that you no longer know who you are and have no real quality of life. At that point you won't be able to do it for yourself.

Although (2) appears to be off the table for now, at least a version of (1) seems to be under consideration.

 

[Blackjack Davy]

I have nothing against it as long as there are necessary checks in place to avoid abuse.

Although to me I think anyone should have the right to end their own life even someone physical fit who just wants it to end. As long as its an adult capable of rational thought and there is a process in place to explain why (help with mental issues that may prompt the ask) and deal with the consequences that come after.

I for one know if I get to a point where I can't look after myself I'd rather end it than burden others to do it. Doesn't matter what age or reason. If I could sign something saying put me down if I ever get to that point I'd happily sign it.

I'll be surprised if it makes it past 3rd reading honestly too much objection from the health secretary et al which is hard to see than anything other than political manoeuvring. Even then it has to be a terminal diagnosis with six months or less to live and you have to have seen or spoken to a judge! With the backlog in the courts by the time it gets around to that the person will have likely passed away anyway so this law if it actuall does pass will be yet another that exists on paper only.

 

[MatsyLR]

I agree with both points but personally I believe anyone should be able to end their life for any reason they want. However someone who is of sound mind would need to justify it to a medical professional with the necessary mental wellbeing care in place to help anyone having those thoughts with justification and a clear reason to why and put necessary things in place forwwhat happens after. Yes even people who say they want to die because they want to die. As long as there is a clear understanding and process in place to help people having those thoughts.

It's my life I should have the right to end it when I choose (not taking suicide just dignified ending of function). No one should be forced to stick around against their own will.

Probably not a popular opinion though.

Id want to sign something to say if I cannot look after myself anymore due to whatever reason, I will be humanly put down. If I can't think or reason anymore then it's automatic per my wishes. If I am able to think and reason I am able to choose as its ultimately my choice my body my life.

There is far too much importance put on human life, we are not special. We do it for beloved pets, shouldn't be any different for us as long as their are procedures in place.

I saw my grandma in and out of hospital for years suffering, it was horrible to witness just a slow falling apart unable to think most the time unable to wipe own bum or feed herself. When she eventually passed she wasn't my grandma anymore, she was just a frail lump of flesh who thankfully passed in her sleep but had no idea what was going on for a long time or who anyone was around her. When she went into hospital for the last time her mind had already gone she had no idea what was happening or who anyone was and was left to slowly rot for about 2 months while we watched. It was heartbreaking to watch her slowly disintegrate with no dignity, a woman I loved as a mother just rotting in a bed unable to comprehend anything at all until her body gave up when her mind was gone ages ago.