They don't want us to have a choice over death do they?

[Hunnymonster1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2lyl8jrvlo.amp

This is so bloody annoying why are we so backward compared to other countries? Other countries have this sorted like america.In some states, belgium, holland, Switzerland.
They are not gonna allow this to happen are they? Which means the rich will go and pay dignitas and the poor will suffer. I am starting to get so annoyed by the mps of this country
Am I being unreasonable into thinking that they are backwards and should have given maybe the British public a referendum on a subject matter so important to individual people. If not a ref why is our country so backwards

Probably a lot, including myself.

No families are immune to death

Does the majority want that? On what do you base this assertion? I think there needs to more debate on the subject.

I used to think it was the right thing to do/have, but I'm really not so sure any more.

I do wonder what the result would be if there was a referendum. I think it would be close...I don't think a huge majority do want it and if they do want it in theory, are actually a bit worried about it becoming reality.

NigelHarmansNewWife

Does the majority want that? On what do you base this assertion? I think there needs to more debate on the subject“

opinion polls have consistently shown that the majority are in favour for some years, usually around the 65-70% mark. Most recently, 85%. All credible polling organisations, readily available online.

Comedycook

Probably a lot, including myself.
No families are immune to death

Of course but some deaths are infinitely more painful and distressing than others. They are usually relatively easy to predict, too. Medical professionals will know each and every stage and what they mean in reality.

people in Canada are being approved for assisted suicide because they are too poor to afford the cost of living.

In my mind that is not a civilised society.

I’m very against this bill, and I’ve done long term care for a bedridden parent. If assisted suicide had been an option I am in no doubt the hospice would have encouraged my parent towards that. Horrid ba5tards.

at first it’ll be used for people with motor neurone disease etc. Before you know it, it’ll be for anyone who finds life difficult and where society has failed

Yes the polls do show a majority in favour but I think it's easy to be in favour when it's an abstract idea. I think if there was a referendum, a lot of people would vote against as the reality hits home.

Haven't seen the 85% one, but others at 65% for, and a couple higher. All the ones I saw were for AD for people who were terminally ill. For terminal illness... yes, I agree.
But the problem is after implementation laws tend to change, be amended and evolve, not always for the better, even with the best intentions. This has happened in Canada. The law has expanded and is interpreted differently in different areas. And where even long term mental health issues have been approved as a reason for AD. The sole reason written on one man’s notes was “Loss of hearing”

Before you know it, it’ll be for anyone who finds life difficult and where society has failed

This is exactly my fear.

I work in an area with a lot of palliative care. We are set up for end of life care and we have specialist services if there are difficult symptoms not covered with usual end of life meds. One of the biggest problems we encounter is relatives being reluctant for end of life care to start for which we do the paperwork- this can in some cases cause unnecessary delay as only when end of life care is formalised do we authorise doses of morphine/ midazolam etc in appropriate doses.

For comfort and care that is

Let's have a referendum then and see!

My elderly grandma is losing her sight and she constantly tells us that she doesn't want to stay alive when this happens. She is almost 90, has lost her husband and is desperate not to go in a home. I just don't understand why people that have never been in her position think they have the right to trump her wishes because she isn't terminally ill. She has lived enough life to make a judgement as to whether life is worth living or not.

I mean the whole idea of terminal illness is probably questionable anyway at these kinds of ages as realistically many people with a diagnosed terminal illness are likely to outlive the very elderly.

curious79

I’m very against this bill, and I’ve done long term care for a bedridden parent“

Many bedridden patients do not have agonising deaths. There are degrees. every individual should be afforded the right to decide for themselves what they find bearable.

The relatives shouldn't get a choice. Why should their emotions be more important than pain and symptom relief of a dying person? The patient is an individual with rights, not a pet who has an owner calling the shots. This is why I believe everyone should have an Advance Directive even in the instance of having POA. I witnessed many relatives objecting to pain relief for the patient and it beggared belief.

Referendum, yes! What could possibly go wrong? 😂 🇪🇺

Yes exactly @Bumpitybumper I love music, have the radio or my Spotify playlist on all the time and get to as many gigs as I can. I also love audiobooks and the cinema. If I lost my hearing that would have a massive impact on my quality of life. Living in silence is incomprehensible to me so why should I have to do it if I don’t want to.

I think this is exactly why we have to be very careful about trying to impose our values on to other people. For some, losing their hearing wouldn't be a 'good enough' reason to want to end their lives. This doesn't mean that it is always the case for everyone.

It is just so condescending to assume that other people don't know their own mind and that anyone else is in a superior position to make such a personal decision. This is especially disturbing when those that are insisting in life at all costs aren't the ones stuck with the consequences of that decision, it's the poor people they have imposed their will onto that have to carry on living a life they don't want to live.

Ok, so let's say someone is 30 and losing their sight... should we allow them assisted dying?

If they are found to be of sound mind then why wouldn't you allow this if this is what they want? Why should anyway be able to override the wishes of others because we find them unpalatable or incompatible with our own values?

So anyone of sound mind should be able to access assisted dying for any reason?

Wow, that’s a nice statement for hearing impaired people to read!

so why should I have to do it if I don’t want to?

Do you think if this bill is approved that it will actually extend to otherwise healthy people who lose their hearing or eyesight?

Do you really think anyone who wants to will have an assisted death for any reason at all will be allowed to do so?

I can’t imagine many HCPs happily administering AD drugs in those circumstances.

@TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth Why does my choice affect anyone else? Not sure why hearing impaired people would be offended at me saying what I’ve said. I haven’t said their quality of life is rubbish have I. You are taking offence where there is none. My choices are my choices. I am comfortable with the idea of ending my life when I no longer get any enjoyment out of it, I absolutely do not expect other people to feel the same.

Totally agree. I saw this with some of my relatives when they tried to rally my FIL round because it was too distressing for them to hear that he wanted to stop eating and die. In effect, they were trying to keep him going, for their own needs, not his. I can understand their distress but their emotions were dictating what my FIL should try and do. In the end a virus killed him so that spared him a long draw out death.

Well if you expect a law to be passed to allow euthanising healthy people, and for a Dr to administer lethal drugs to you then yes, you expect rather a lot of people to agree with you.

Sorry that was to @Iheartmysmart