Assisted Dying

Much was made this week of the fact that an unprecedented number of peers, more than 130 apparently, had registered their intention to take part in the Lord's debate over Lord Falconer's private members bill on legally assisted dying. Although on the surface this may seem impressive, given the average age of those elevated to the dizzy heights of the House of Lords this is hardly surprising; perhaps they should have declared a personal interest before deciding how the rest of us may choose to die.

This is a complex and sensitive topic, and after a debate lasting 10 hours, the bill passed its second reading on Friday without a vote and will now be examined in depth before passing to committee stage. However, Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is not convinced by the arguments for legalising assisted dying, and without government backing, it is unlikely to be debated in the Commons, so will not become law.

There are those that maintain that this bill would mean 'less suffering, not more deaths', and those who are equally vociferous in their opposition to it. Hardly a week goes by without someone clearly in pain, and who feels that they have no quality of life, challenging current legislation in an attempt to exert some level of choice over the time and method of their own death. It somehow seems extraordinary that on a daily basis we all make choices, some legal, some not, over how we wish to conduct our lives, and yet the most important choice of all is denied us.

Dying is an emotive issue, whether or not we are reaching the end of our own lives, or having to witness the painful demise of our own loved ones, but the fact remains that death, for the time being at least, is unavoidable.

There is of course the very valid argument that the proposed change to legislation would facilitate a breeding ground for the vultures that hover over the death beds of relatives, ready to swoop in on the rich pickings. I know this from bitter personal experience, and it is not at all pleasant. Greed can be very destructive, and sadly, family rifts are often the consequence of conflict over the dispersal of possessions and money.

Much of this week's debate rightly centred on the necessary safeguards that must be in place to protect the vulnerable from abuse, and that the final decision must always be made by the patient. The proposed bill requires that two independent doctors agree that the person is mentally competent and is making an informed decision, but I do worry about the ability of others to coerce and persuade.

Under current legislation the wealthy have the opportunity to travel abroad to Switzerland to take their own life, while many others are left in a state of desperation, and suffer a lonely, cruel death, according to lord Falconer. Many people are so worried about the implications for their loved ones, by asking them for help to die, that they end up taking their own lives by hoarding pills.

As a Samaritan, as may be expected, I believe in self-determination but I can appreciate that there are arguments for and against.

There are many examples of occasions when for a period of time, usually due to prolonged ill-health, or where a terminal illness has been diagnosed, when those affected feel that their lives are no longer worth living. On occasion, in desperation, they may attempt to take their own lives. Many do not succeed, neither do they really want to. What they really want is for the pain and the inability to lead the life they once led to cease, which is a different matter altogether. There are equally many, many examples of where those who have gone through this difficult time come to be thankful that they had not succeeded in ending their lives. There are likewise many tales of someone being told that they have only a few weeks to live, and then go on to defy expert medical prognosis, living long and productive lives for sometime after their demise.

Personally, all that I ask is that when my own time comes, whenever it may be, that my demise is swift and pain free, and that I've had the time to say goodbye to loved ones, put my affairs in order, and sip that final glass of champagne. Not too much to ask I hope. We all have different hopes and aspirations, and I for one would not want to deny someone else that choice.