Dignity in Dying endorses health minsters’ comments on assisted dying

This weekend health minster Anna Soubry MP told the Times it is “ridiculous and absurd” that dying Britons have to go abroad to end their life. Her colleague Norman Lamb MP, also newly appointed as a health minister, said there is a case “for looking at reform”.

Dignity in Dying’s Director of Campaigns and Communications James Harris said:

“Dignity in Dying endorses the new health ministers’ comments on assisted dying, and commends them for speaking out. Anna Soubry has articulated the view of a clear majority of the public who feel that the current law is out of date. Dying Britons who wish to control the time and manner of their death should not have to choose between suffering against their wishes or travelling abroad to die. Jurisdictions in Europe and the US have safely legalised and regulated some form of assistance to die, and France and Canada are on the verge of changing their laws. This is an issue that Parliament must address.

“In partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Choice at the End of Life, Dignity in Dying is currently consulting on a draft assisted dying bill. The consultation closes on 20th November, with former Justice Secretary Lord Falconer QC committed to bringing a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Lords next year.”

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 25,000 supporters and receives its funding entirely from donations from the public
. Opinion polls consistently show overwhelming support for a change in the law on assisted dying for terminally ill mentally competent adults.

About the draft Bill Consultation:

This consultation is being run by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Choice at the End of Life in partnership with Dignity in Dying.

The APPG on Choice at the End of Life exists to promote greater patient choice at the end of life, particularly over where, when and how one dies. The group believes that mentally competent adults should have the right to refuse treatment, and provided sufficient legal safeguards are in place, the right to an assisted death. Dignity in Dying is a campaigning organisation which supports the aims of the APPG and provides the secretariat to the group.

The APPG and Dignity in Dying will welcome responses from stakeholders, experts, MPs and the general public. Responses can be submitted at http://www.appg-endoflifechoice.org.uk/
Media Contacts:

For all Dignity in Dying media enquiries, please contact Jo Cartwright on 020 7479 7737 / 07725433025 or at jo.cartwright@dignityindying.org.uk