Assisted Dying Bill tomorrow.

[TooBigForMyBoots]

I really hope this goes ahead.

I'm from a family who die from cancer. It's a genetic thing. Over the years I've watched numerous loved ones die from this cruel and ravaging disease. It has taken a massive toll on us. From PTSD to immense guilt, complicated grief and fear of the future.

Not all of my family would have accessed Assisted Dying, but I know some did want it and requested it in the weeks / days leading to their death. They should have had the option of shortening their suffering. Having witnessed what they went through, I want that option for myself.

I want it for my mother. For the past 20 years she has told me when she wants out and how I will have to help her achieve it. I don't want to. She apologises for putting it on me. She shouldn't have to.

No one will be saved if this Bill is stopped, but fear and suffering will be reduced.

Ok, let's say we know neither have end stage cancer. I would still choose to save the kid.

Do you think resuscitation should always be tried then? No circumstances its not in the best interests of the patient, DNR request in place or not?

I'll be very surprised if this passes tbh. Even if it does, I think the number of people who get to use it will be vanishingly small. Not because they don't want it but because of delays in the system. I wonder if family members will also have a veto?

I hope it passes. I really do.

If it goes ahead, I imagine it will be used by quite a few. I don't think family should have a veto.

I haven't read the full thread. I'm torn.

A loved one of mine died of cancer and would have benefited from being able to choose how and when he died.

I also have a son with complex needs, I already worry about how he will be protected when me and dh die. I can see how where people like him may cost the state a large amount of money without giving much back (financially, he does give much to this world In other ways) people like him could be seen as being not worth the funding.

There are places in Canada where there isn't palliative care in place and where mental health and disability like autism (I believe- please correct me if I'm wrong) would make someone there eligible for assisted dying.

What happens where the person doesn't have capacity to consent or make a decision.

Added to my worry is the way that DNR's were issued during the pandemic and health resources were rationed. Someone like my son wouldn't have been able to have treatment at the start of the pandemic in hospital.

I've been with a few people at the end of their life, we already have assisted dying but it's not really acknowledged.

What worries me is who gets to make the decision, we saw what happened during covid with "Some 508 'do not attempt resuscitation' (DNAR) decisions made since March 2020 were not agreed in discussion with the person or their family, a report found."

When I become ill enough, I'd like to choose my method of passing even down to the drugs I take, but that's not going to happen under this proposed legislation. No Drs are going to give me DMT along with their traditional drugs, so it's only going to be a very limited choice.

I really hope it doesn’t pass. It’s unsafe. There should be parliamentary consensus about the provisions. There is absolute disarray on that. This Bill is so unconsidered in its provisions.
There has been no independent reviews, no pre legislative scrutiny, no impact assessments. Appalling on such an important issue. Huge and important questions on safeguarding, ethics and resources have been just left up in the air. It shouldn’t pass. It’s not worked out enough. I hope it’s either voted down and a new campaign comes back in a few years with more researched, more practical safeguarding provisions or at least that the MPs calling for a diversion for proper scrutiny get their way.

One of the things I find interesting about this is the large amount people who are saying ‘my body my choice’. I wonder if they support abortion too.

I certainly do

All this could have been avoided if the attitude towards death wasn't so problematic in this country. People have gone to such lengths to prolong life and to demand that medical science keeps us alive at all costs for as long as possible that it's distorted perceptions about the dying process and what is normal.

We used to administer end of life medications via syringe driver in large enough doses as to ensure pain was treated and the patient slept their life away. People weren't subjected to having constant antibiotics banged into them or fed via a PEG tube for years. Apparently this doesn't happen anymore and the frail elderly and terminally ill don't appear to have much choice regarding these things. The avoidance of death at all costs is a mistake and people need to recognise when pain and suffering is being medically prolonged and to know that there is a way out without resorting to assisted dying or euthanasia etc. Letting nature take its course with good symptom relief is the more sensible course of action.

I support abortion, as early as possible as late as necessary but I don't think I can support this. It just isn't safe enough for people like my son or other vulnerable groups.

Bit disingenuous. I’m that isn’t a choice we need to make or are even discussing here.

The fact remains that Gosport happened. Mid staffs. Blanket DNARs in care homes revealed by the CQC (obviously unlawful and immoral). There is NO WAY our health service is ready for this.

Voting against is saying that the status quo is better. It will be another 10 years before this is voted on again.

Pre Harold Shipman assisted dying was generally accepted. The response to his case has caused untold suffering.

So proud of Carla Lockhart for her speech. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Times Article
I am a healthcare professional and I fully support the assisted dying bill.
Anyone with a terminal Illness should have the option, should they want it, to choose when and where they want to die.
The harm of not having a legal way to end your life in this country is described so movingly in this linked article from The Times.
Please read if able to (this is a paywalled article).

I watched Question Time last night and thought all points gave me something think about which is what is really really needed. To listen to both sides, and those who are just not sure

I support the bill 100% but that doesn't mean I do not have concerns about where this will lead to and will everyone be treated equally

I do believe it it does pass maybe ten years down the line the criteria of who assisted dying shall be offered to will change. We have to be prepared for that as peoples feelings about assisted dying shall shift (not everyone's) are we prepared for this. I really do understand why so many MP's are really struggling to come to a decision

I support health choices, so yes obviously I support abortion

I feel very strongly that death should not be the business of government.

No.

There’s a difference between DNR and euthanasia.

If someone has a cardiac arrest they are clinically already dead. Resuscitation is a choice to hopefully revive them. But if you do nothing then nothing happens, they’re already dead.

Euthanasia you are actively killing someone.

FWIW I completely understand why people would want this. I would too in certain circumstances, but the truth is that it will be abused and there is n way to safeguard against that.

I actually support abortion.

As soon as possible as late as necessary.

I feel very strongly that life is not the business of government either.

My body is not your concern.

Thing is, it's quite possible to euthanise oneself, if necessary.

You do not want to get legality involved.

It's not a good road.

Once the body is politicised, it doesn't belong to you. It belongs to the idea of you.

So I have watched this debate today and understandably, the fact is, she said that this bill specifically says terminal illness so therefore no slippery slope, I am sick of people talking about slippery slope as an argument against. I listened to the stories and it made me cry try vomiting shit for 5 hours one guy did no palative care can stop that

Many people do

But this comes with risks of their death not being peaceful and the impact of their family