Meet Catie. Three years ago, her mum - terminally ill with motor neurone disease - travelled abroad for an assisted death. She didn't let Catie or her sister join her, to protect them from the risk of prosecution.
Dignity in Dying
@dignityindying.org.uk
We believe in choice at the end of life. Including the option of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.
Content warning: contains discussion of suicide. Anil's terminally ill father took his own life in secret - "It was a...worst case scenario death".
"Even the finest medicine cannot relieve every form of suffering...Recognising those limits is not a criticism of palliative care. It is an acknowledgement of reality. That is precisely why improving palliative care and legalising assisted dying are complementary, not contradictory."
What do we mean when we talk about Bridging the Gap? In our new blog we explore what our latest reports recommendation's mean within the current end-of-life policy landscape. You can read this here:
What do we mean when we talk about Bridging the Gap?
The last two years have felt like a critical moment for end of life care, with a surge of public and political attention towards investing in meaningful improvements that better support people at the ...
compassionindying.org.uk
Welcome back to changing the law on assisted dying! Here's what you've missed🩷
Lauren Edwards MP on the PM's remarks yesterday: "we can tackle all the changes that are needed...this can happen alongside providing the choice of an assisted death to that small minority for whom even the very best palliative care cannot relieve their suffering."
Excellent piece from Michael. Some of the most powerful speeches in the Commons were by medical professionals, making clear there are terminal conditions where the very best palliative care cannot prevent suffering. I'll support the bill again on the 11th Sept. www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...
Improve palliative care or introduce assisted dying? It's a false choice – let's do both
Few issues in politics demand more humility than assisted dying.
politicshome.com
My response to Andy Burnham, after he announced he won’t support a debate on assisted dying until palliative and social care funding is “fixed”. These are the same excuses that have been used for decades to deny dying people choice. www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Andy Burnham must look terminally ill people in the eye and make one admission
OPINION: Terminally ill mother Sophie Blake writes for the Daily Express after Andy Burnham said palliative and social care needs fixing before the assisted dying debate
express.co.uk
Lauren Edwards, who’s bringing back the assisted dying bill, has responded to Andy Burnham’s comments. She argues improving social and palliative care can go hand in hand with assisted dying as per some other nations. She also notes a 4 year implementation period for the bill.
"Even the finest medicine cannot relieve every form of suffering...Recognising those limits is not a criticism of palliative care. It is an acknowledgement of reality. That is precisely why improving palliative care and legalising assisted dying are complementary, not contradictory."
Here is my statement responding to Andy Burnham’s comments on social care, palliative care and choice at the end of life.
Palliative care can and should be improved for all, but at the same time as an assisted dying law be put into action. A rich country like the UK can have both
Dignity in Dying@dignityindying.org.uk · last wk.
Heartbreaking news. Elise was an incredible woman, who faced unimaginable pain with such courage, dignity and determination. She used her voice to fight for change. She had a sparkle that shone so brightly. Sending all my love & deepest condolences to her family and everyone who knew and loved her ❤️
Dignity in Dying@dignityindying.org.uk · 2w agoWe are devastated by the death of Elise Burns, a courageous, formidable and much-loved campaigner for assisted dying, who died in hospice with her mum and sister by her side on Wednesday 22 July.
Heartbreaking news. Elise was a truly inspirational campaigner. It was an honour to spend time with her during the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. She knew changing the law would be too late for her but she never gave up. All she wanted was choice❤️
Dignity in Dying@dignityindying.org.uk · 2w agoWe are devastated by the death of Elise Burns, a courageous, formidable and much-loved campaigner for assisted dying, who died in hospice with her mum and sister by her side on Wednesday 22 July.
We are devastated by the death of Elise Burns, a courageous, formidable and much-loved campaigner for assisted dying, who died in hospice with her mum and sister by her side on Wednesday 22 July.
Barbara's previous husband had Motor Neurone Disease. Once he knew he could have control at the end of his life, his fear of a painful, drawn-out death was replaced with relief.
Content warning: contains discussion of suicide. Anil's terminally ill father took his own life in secret - "It was a...worst case scenario death".
In 2019 James said goodbye to his mum, who travelled alone for an assisted death abroad. He wasn't allowed to go with her. She was terminally ill and in agonising pain. This is not the mark of a compassionate society. MPs must listen to people like James - and back the assisted dying bill.
The public supports it. MPs back it. It is time to legalise compassionate choice at the end of life.
Barbara's previous husband had Motor Neurone Disease. Once he knew he could have control at the end of his life, his fear of a painful, drawn-out death was replaced with relief.
Last week we published our new report amplifying the voices of the people our services support. Hear Elizabeth talk about her husband Alan’s experience of care at the end of life and how planning ahead supported Alan to ensure his decisions were respected.
The public supports it. MPs back it. It is time to legalise compassionate choice at the end of life.
In 2019 James said goodbye to his mum, who travelled alone for an assisted death abroad. He wasn't allowed to go with her. She was terminally ill and in agonising pain. This is not the mark of a compassionate society. MPs must listen to people like James - and back the assisted dying bill.
France has become the latest European country to legalise assisted dying, after the National Assembly gave final approval to the bill. Jersey's assisted dying law has also just received Royal Assent. And in the Commons, Labour MP Lauren Edwards will publish the revived assisted dying bill today.
“The challenge for those of us working to improve end-of-life care is how we address the clear gap between people’s wishes, policy intent and practice.”
"People are dying everyday. And they're dying painful deaths." Maddie has a rare type of incurable cancer. She wants the option to chose a peaceful death. Not forced to endure a painful one.
Pleased to republish the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill so it can complete its passage through Parliament. Terminally ill people and their families deserve the chance to see this legislation debated. The Bill returns to the Commons on 11 September. Read more here: buff.ly/3yq6aJz