Dignity in Dying responds to the death of Jeffrey Spector

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
“No one should be forced to travel abroad to have the death that they want, yet sadly one Briton a fortnight is doing so in the absence of an assisted dying law in the UK.

“We know that people are doing so at a time earlier than they would have if assisted dying was a legal option in this country, due to the arduous task of traveling abroad in ill health. Any family member or friend that accompanies someone can face a prison sentence of up to 14 years on their return.

“It cannot be right that we force people to suffer against their wishes, or to take drastic and desperate measures behind closed doors. The only way to give dying people choice and control at the end of life, while also best protecting vulnerable people, is through an assisted dying law with upfront safeguards. Sadly people will continue to suffer in search of the death that they want as long as this cruel law exists, a law that the overwhelming majority of the public want to change.”

***ENDS***

For all Dignity in Dying media enquiries, please contact Press Officer Mickey Charouneau on 020 7479 7732/ 07725 433025 or by email michael.charouneau@dignityindying.org.uk.

The Guardian news story can be viewed here.

Dignity in Dying
Dignity in Dying campaigns for greater choice, control and access to services at the end of life. It advocates providing terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death, within strict legal safeguards, and for universal access to high quality end-of-life care.