Dignity in Dying show support for Lord Darzi healthcare report (5 October 2007)

5th October 2007

Dignity in Dying show support for Lord Darzi healthcare report

Dignity in Dying, the leading UK organisation campaigning for greater patient choice at the end of life, today backed key issues raised by Lord Darzi, in his interim report commissioned for the Department of Health.

The report, published today, sets out Lord Darzi’s vision to develop “an NHS which will deliver effective, higher quality services that are personalised to individual needs and equally available to all.”

Ashley Riley, Head of Campaigns and Communications at Dignity in Dying, said: “This report is a groundbreaking step for our supporters and the general public alike, the overwhelming majority of whom want access to a more personalised and dignified service.

“We welcome Lord Darzi’s visions for the NHS, and its proposals will be an important step forward for ensuring that excellent care for people at the end of their lives is a basic right.

“As Lord Darzi states, we need an NHS with more choices available to patients along with the appreciation that individual needs must be catered to.”

Notes to editor

About Dignity in Dying:

Dignity in Dying is the leading organisation in the UK that advocates assisted dying for terminally ill patients. The organisation is also the country’s leading provider in information on end-of-life issues.

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 support a change in the law on assisted dying. An interview with Ashley Riley is available to download at <https://www.dignityindying.org.uk/aboutus/>.