Third Star.
We are approached on a regular basis by people who have covered the issues of greater choice at the end of life in their artistic work, but when we saw Third Star we knew there was something special about it.
We are approached on a regular basis by people who have covered the issues of greater choice at the end of life in their artistic work, but when we saw Third Star we knew there was something special about it.
In recent days, there has been considerable press coverage about the law on assisted suicide. On statute it is an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to help someone to die. But in practice and guided by new prosecuting guidelines, our criminal justice system is reluctant to prosecute those who help a loved one to die – when doing so in an amateur capacity and guided solely by compassion. Figures reported in the national media indicate that since the guidelines were introduced none of the 30 to 40 cases which have been investigated have led to prosecution.
We’re nearing this year’s autumn political party conferences. An important opportunity, alongside other parliamentary work, to take the debate on assisted dying directly to parliamentarians, political activists and stakeholders. You can join us at fringe meetings at Green, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences through September and into October, discussing “Assisted dying, assisted suicide: what’s the difference? 50 Years on from The Suicide Act 1961”.
There were a number of media stories that kept us busy over the bank holiday weekend. On Saturday the family of Mrs Janet Tracey announced their legal case against Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Department of Health for allegedly using ‘do not resuscitate’ orders without Mrs Tracey’s consent. Dignity in Dying was, and continues to be deeply concerned that treatment with the potential to sustain life may have been withheld without the knowledge of a mentally competent patient.
Today Demos published findings of a report into the role of terminal and chronic illness as a risk factor for suicide. The purpose of conducting the research is twofold: to fill an evidence gap that currently exists on the relationship between physical illness and ‘unassisted suicide’, and to inform the Coalition Government’s new suicide prevention strategy. Alongside fulfilling these purposes Demos have uncovered an alarming domestic statistic that could be used to inform elements of the wider assisted dying debate.
Yesterday Sarah, Dignity in Dying’s Chief Executive, and I had the very great pleasure of meeting Sir Patrick Stewart for lunch. It was an opportunity for us to talk about the campaign in a little more depth, and to ask Sir Patrick for his help to change the law.
Dignity in Dying campaigns for a change in the law to allow terminally ill people the choice of an assisted death. We don’t campaign for assisted suicide for non–terminally ill people. I find it very frustrating that people accuse Dignity in Dying’s campaign for terminally ill mentally competent adults as being tactical. So I’d like to clarify a few things.
We are delighted to welcome Kim Cattrall and Susan Hampshire as the two newest Patrons of Dignity in Dying.
Today the Suicide Act 1961 is fifty years old. It ended the criminalisation of those who attempted suicide, whilst introducing an offence of assisted suicide, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. A crime that casts a very wide net, and prohibits doctor assisted-dying for terminally ill adults.
We are delighted to welcome you to the first blog post on our brand new interactive campaign website.