Dignity in Dying comment on ‘A Short Stay in Switzerland’, a BBC drama based on the life and assisted death of Dr. Anne Turner

On Sunday 25 January at 9pm, BBC 1 will air A Short Stay in Switzerland a drama based on the life and assisted death of Dr. Anne Turner. Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying said:

“A Short Stay in Switzerland shines a light on a difficult but real problem. Regrettably, due to a lack of safeguarded legal choice, some terminally ill adults are forced, such as Dr Anne Turner, to travel abroad for an assisted death.

“The BBC should be congratulated for producing this drama, which we hope will encourage an informed debate on the sensitive issue of assisted dying for the terminally ill. The Turner family should also be congratulated for allowing such intimate and difficult aspects of their life to be aired. We hope that people will watch the programme and engage with the issues, whether they are for or against a change in the law.”

-ends-

Notes to editor:

About 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.
• Dignity in Dying has over 100,000 supporters and receives its funding entirely from donations from the public.
• Opinion polls consistently show that at least 80% of the UK population supports a change in the law on assisted dying.

Media Contacts:

For all media enquiries and to arrange interviews with members of the Turner family, please contact Jo Cartwright on 020 7479 7737 or at jo.cartwright@dignityindying.org.uk