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Hundreds of households joined My Death, My Decision’s panel event online on 21 July, to hear from Polly Toynbee, Dr Wendy Savage, Diane Munday, and Natika Haliland their fascinating discussion on the topic of ‘A Woman’s Choice? Fighting for the right to die and women’s rights’. 

When introducing the event, My Death, My Decision’s Chair, Trevor Moore, highlighted findings that he said raised the possibility of a gendered dimension to assisted dying. For example, a higher proportion of British women end their lives, by travelling to Dignitas, than in countries where assisted dying is legal. And, according to data revealed to My Death, My Decision via a freedom of information request, women are twice as likely as men to confess to the police when they have assisted someone to die.

The resulting discussion explored the similarities between the campaigns to legalise abortion and extend women’s reproductive rights – in which the veteran campaign Diane Munday, renowned women’s rights activist Dr Wendy Savage, and executive of the Family Planning Association Natika H were closely involved – and the issue of assisted dying. 

Recognising that women are disproportionately likely to suffer from autoimmune problems, such as Alzheimer’s or Multiple Sclerosis; the similar moral arguments based on autonomy; the parallels between opponents of abortion reform and assisted dying, it was suggested that whilst assisted dying may have a particular impact on women, it wasn’t a women’s issue per se. 

However, several panellists cautioned against allowing a right-to-die to become legal for only a limited number of people in society, such as the terminally ill. Drawing upon the difficulties experienced in amending abortion legislation, Diane Munday warned a limited assisted dying law would be of use to few people and very difficult to change afterwards. 

At a particularly moving juncture, Dr Wendy Savage also discussed her personal experience of accompanying a close friend to Switzerland, and Diane Munday revealed the agonising conditions her husband endured after suffering a stroke that left him paralysed. Diane Munday said: ‘the pleading look in his eyes will stay with me until my dying day. Under extreme pressure of emotion and pain, he could get the words out “die please”. I cannot count the hours I spent sitting beside him with him saying “die please”’. 

The event concluded with a lively discussion of questions from the audience, which ranged from securing support amongst the media, the unique vulnerabilities of women and assisted dying, and the shifting attitudes among the medical profession in relation to assisted dying. 

My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘Assisted dying is often framed as a simple and binary debate. Yet, as with any other issue in society, the way in which our current law impacts upon people differs depending upon their background and experiences. And inevitably this means it affects different people in different ways.

‘This is why we thought it was so important to provide a platform in which to discuss the experiences of women and the potential gendered dimensions of this debate. Whether assisted dying is a feminist issue, or indeed whether it should be framed as such, remains an open question. However, we were delighted by the thoughtful contributions of Polly Toynbee, Dr Wendy Savage, Diane Munday, and Natkia Halil – which made plain the urgent need for a change in the law, and the risks of adopting a law limited to the terminally ill alone.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

A panel of islanders has voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the law on assisted dying in Jersey. My Death, My Decision – whose Director Robert Ince was called to give evidence to the panel as a faith leader – has hailed the result as a critical victory for campaigners. 

According to an initial report, 78.3% of the Citizens’ jury agreed that assisted dying should be permitted for adults of sound mind, subject to robust safeguards. A substantial majority (70%) also thought the option of an assisted death should be available to those with either a terminal illness or unbearable suffering. A minority of 22% thought it should be restricted to the terminally ill.

Jersey’s citizens’ jury was convened in response to a petition started by My Death, My Decision’s Assisted Dying Coalition partners, End of Life Choices Jersey. It garnered support from 1,861 islanders. The panel of 23 randomly selected representative members met over a ten-week period earlier this year. 

Robert Ince’s evidence centred on the importance of recognising the need to cover both those with terminal or incurable illnesses in any legislation- as well as the importance of treating others with respect and dignity within the Abrahamic faiths. 

The news follows the death of My Death, My Decision’s patron Paul Lamb, who had been paralysed from the neckdown since 1990. Prior to his death, Paul had also been called as a key witness and had urged panellists to establish a right to die for those in his situation. 

A final report from the citizens’ jury is expected to be released in August this year. 

Speaking before the release of the initial results, My Death, My Decision’s Director Robert Ince said:

‘For more than twenty years the evidence from progressive countries from around the world has been clear – sensible, caring, and compassionate laws on assisted dying can be balanced alongside robust safeguards. I very much hope the jury’s panellists will allow those with terminal or incurable illnesses a compassionate choice and not deny others the same options they would want for themselves.’

Welcoming the report, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘The unequivocal results of the Jersey Assisted Dying Citizens’ Jury show how strongly public opinion supports an assisted dying law for the incurably suffering as well as the terminally ill – precisely the compassionate law that we campaign for at My Death, My Decision. A NatCen poll in 2019 showed even greater levels of public support for this approach in England and Wales. How much longer will it take politicians in Westminster to get on board with their constituents’ views and bring about our own law to reflect this?

‘Such a law would have helped our suffering patron Paul Lamb, who died earlier this month before the law he campaigned for was achieved. We call upon the Government to begin a public inquiry into assisted dying as soon as possible so that evidence, rather than alarmist misinformation, can win out. In that way, we can achieve the law that so many people want.’ 

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

Read the initial report from Jersey’s Citizens’ Jury. 

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

A new Bill to legalise assisted dying has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament. Its backers include My Death, My Decision’s partners in the Assisted Dying Coalition – Humanist Society Scotland and Friends At the End – and a cross-party group of 12 MSPs. My Death, My Decision has welcomed the proposals, which it hopes will spur action in Westminster. 

The move represents the first time assisted dying has been considered in Holyrood since 2015. However, recent polling shows that 86% of Scots want the issue debated in Holyrood, and 87% support a change in the law. 

Speaking ahead of its introduction, Liam McArthur MSP, who is bringing forward the Bill, said: 

‘I have long believed that dying Scots should be able to access safe and compassionate assisted dying if they choose, rather than endure a prolonged and painful death. 

‘The current blanket ban on such assistance is unjust and causes needless suffering for so many dying people and their families across Scotland. If you have reached the limits of palliative care and face a bad death, none of the current options available to you in Scotland represents an acceptable alternative to a peaceful, dignified death at home.’ 

According to the latest research, it has been estimated that even with the best palliative care, at least 11 Scots per week still die a bad death. 

Welcoming the announcement My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘Although we are fortunate to have some of the best palliative care in the world, palliative relief isn’t always capable of easing everyone’s suffering. For many people dying is still a slow, painful, and undignified process. This Bill is, therefore, crucial because it recognises this reality and seeks to give choice and control to those at the end of their life. 

‘We congratulate our partners in the Assisted Dying Coalition for bringing about this important step towards a change in the law. It is not right that those facing terminal or incurable conditions, such as our late patron Paul Lamb, should be forced to suffer when nearly nine in ten people favour a change in the law. We hope that Scottish lawmakers recognise the strength of public support behind these proposals and that decision-makers in Westminster are spurred into action by them. In the coming months, these proposals will be subjected to robust and thorough scrutiny via a public consultation. We urge decision-makers in Westminster to similarly examine the evidence underpinning our nation’s ban on assisted dying by launching an urgent inquiry into the law.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

Paul Lamb, the incurably suffering campaigner well-known for challenging the law prohibiting assisted dying in England and Wales, has died aged 65.  

The former builder and father of two, who was paralysed from the neck down since 1990, had previously brought two cases challenging the law on assisted dying. In 2014, alongside Jane Nicklinson – the widow of fellow right to die campaigner Tony Nicklinson – he lost a case before the Supreme Court. Although two judges, including Lady Hale, were ready to declare the law banning assisted dying incompatible with Paul’s human rights, a majority ruled that Parliament should first be given an opportunity to debate assisted dying before the courts made a definitive judgment. 

In 2019 he brought a fresh case, supported by My Death, My Decision, arguing that the current law was discriminatory and breached his human rights under Article 8 (right to a private and family life) and Article 14 (prohibition on discrimination) of the Human Rights Act. However, the Court of Appeal said there were ‘no arguable grounds’ for his case because assisted dying was ‘pre-eminently a matter for Parliament, not the courts’. 

Subsequent to this, Paul Lamb wrote to the Secretary of State for Justice calling on him to ‘turn your sympathy into action’ by holding an inquiry into the law on assisted dying. 

My Death, My Decision has been informed that Paul Lamb died on Tuesday 8 June. His cause of death is unknown. Prior to his death, it is understood that Paul Lamb had spoken of his desire to keep fighting for a change in the law. 

Speaking at the time about his legal defeat, Paul Lamb said: 

‘I cannot understand, in a civilised society like ours, why I should be forced to suffer when millions of people around the world already have the choice I asked for. Throughout my case, all I have been told is how sympathetic others are to my situation. But I have never wanted anyone to pity me. All I have ever wanted is for my choice to be respected and given equal validity under the law, like everyone else’s. Instead, this decision, if it is the final word on the matter, condemns me to a life of constant pain, and removes the small part of my life that I could still have some say over – how I want to die.’ 

Expressing his condolences to Paul’s family, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said:

‘The team at My Death, My Decision send their heartfelt condolences to Paul Lamb’s family and to everyone who knew and loved him. We are honoured to have had Paul as a much-valued patron who inspired so many people to support the campaign for a compassionate law on assisted dying. He will be greatly missed.

‘Paul faced considerable challenges with unrelenting courage, despite his evident suffering. Through it all, he remained committed to achieving a law that would allow an assisted death not only to the terminally ill, but also to those suffering incurably, as Paul did. We will carry forward his legacy by campaigning with renewed vigour for the law that Paul so tirelessly sought. That is why we continue to press for a public inquiry, now long overdue.’

Speaking about his death, Paul’s carer, Francesca Hepworth said: 

‘Paul’s death has been a shock to us all, but I’m glad he is finally at peace. For years, Paul grappled with his condition and faced increasing pain, discomfort, and distress. But throughout it all, what scared him the most was his utter lack of control, and the prospect of his pain becoming too much to handle. I know Paul was resolute in his belief that nobody should be forced to suffer, and determined to keep fighting to change the law on assisted dying. I only regret that he now won’t be able to see such a choice realised, if the law were to change. I’m proud to have known him, and been able to call such a brave and courageous man my friend. I am going to miss him.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

Read more about Paul Lamb.

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

Following the death of determined campaigner Noel Conway last week, My Death, My Decision offers condolences to his friends and family. 

In 2018, Noel, who had been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease (MND), brought a case challenging the law prohibiting assisted dying in England and Wales. The former lecturer from Shrewsbury was dependent upon a ventilator to breathe for up to 23 hours a day, and only had limited movement in his right hand, head, and neck. He argued the current law on assisted dying was an intrusion into his rights to privacy and therefore incompatible with the Human Rights Act 1998. 

However, his case was rejected by the Court of Appeal and subsequently refused permission for appeal by the Supreme Court. The courts decided that Noel’s condition meant he did not require a change in the law, because he would have already been able to hasten his death by removing his ventilator. Sadly, that is what our barbaric laws forced him to do.

In a statement Noel requested to be released upon his death, he said: 

‘When you read this I will be dead. Not because I have suffered a tragic accident or died from a long-standing or painful disease. No, it will be because I have made a conscious and deliberate effort to end my own life. I suffer from MND and was diagnosed over six years ago knowing that at some stage I would reach a point when my muscles would have deteriorated to such an extent that I could not function effectively. Over the past two months, it has become increasingly evident to me that the balance of fulfilment in life, or if you like, my quality of life, has dipped into the negative. My voice has depleted to the extent that many people cannot now tell what I say and my eyesight recently deteriorated. I am already paraplegic and I cannot use my hands or fingers but I am aware that my neck muscles are weakening as are my mouth and speech muscles. I recognise that the time has come to take the decision now to do something about this.

‘Under UK law it is perfectly legitimate to remove a ventilator from someone like me. This is not something I would have chosen but I feel that I have no alternative to ending my life without pain and suffering and without compromising others. However, my heart goes out to all those people with terminal cancers and other horrible diseases which makes their lives execrable because they can’t find any release from their terrible suffering. I have spent the last several years campaigning to have the law changed. The topic has been aired nationally and is much more prominent now than it ever was. I am glad that Parliament is continuing to discuss it and investigate possibilities of an assisted dying law in line with many other countries over the last few years. It can only be a question of time before assisted dying will be approved in the UK.’

Responding to Noel’s death, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said: 

‘It is with great sadness that we hear of Noel’s death. Noel was a committed advocate for legal assisted dying, and did significant work to advance the campaign in the media, parliament, and with the public at large. Throughout his case, Noel had been clear that he viewed the prospect of ending his life by removing his ventilator, and effectively suffocating to death under sedation, as neither acceptable nor dignified. 

‘Although we are pleased Noel was able to die peacefully and on his own terms, the stark nature of his options should serve as a powerful reminder of the cruelty those who are terminally ill or incurably suffering continue to face on a daily basis. Our deepest condolences to Noel Conway’s friends and family.’ 

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

Title: In a society that wants legal assisted dying, who should be eligible for a right to die?

Submissions are invited for a new annual award, ‘The Tony Nicklinson Memorial Prize’ sponsored by My Death, My Decision. The prize (£500) is aimed at developing and fostering an interest in end-of-life choices and patient autonomy. This award is specifically aimed at trainees/ students (including undergraduates/ postgraduates/ doctoral candidates in medicine, allied healthcare professions, law, philosophy, and social sciences), and is in commemoration of the late right to die campaigner Tony Nicklinson. 

Deadline: Midnight, 31 May 2021

Essays should be submitted in either word or pdf format to mail@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk

Submissions must be the original work of a single author and no longer than 2,000 words (minimum 1000 words, excluding footnotes). A suggested maximum of 15 references in any respected referencing style may be used. A bibliography is not necessary. Entries must be in Arial 11pt for the text and Arial 10 for footnotes. Candidates should supply their full name, email, phone number, and word count on a covering page. 

The winning candidate will be judged by a panel of My Death, My Decision whose decision is final. All entries will be anonymised before submission to the judges. The winner will be announced on 31 June 2021, however, if there are a large number of entries this deadline may be extended. 

The winning candidate will retain copyright ownership of their paper but will grant My Death, My Decision the non-exclusive right to publish the paper, in print and electronically, in their publications and other media. You will also agree to make any pre-publication editorial modifications to the winning entry that are required for this purpose. 

About Tony Nicklinson

Tony Nicklinson was a 58-year-old father of two, who became paralysed following a sudden stroke in 2004. His condition (locked-in syndrome) left him dependent upon around the clock care for almost every aspect of his life and in a state of constant pain. Although it was expected that Tony could have lived for a significant period of time, his condition would not have improved and he became determined not to spend the rest of his life in a state of increasing misery. In 2012, he challenged the UK’s laws on assisted dying which makes it a criminal offence to help someone to die, on pain of up to 14 years in prison, even if they are suffering incurably and wish to end their lives but cannot do so because they are physically incapable. Six days after the High Court dismissed his case, Tony ended his life via his only legal means: starving himself to death. In his honour, his wife, Jane, continued Tony’s legal case through to the UK Supreme Court alongside MDMD’s patron Paul Lamb, where a majority of the UK’s highest judges ruled the law potentially breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but that Parliament should be given time to consider the matter before a definitive judicial ruling. 

About My Death, My Decision 

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots not-for-profit campaign group, which advocates for a change in the law to allow those who are terminally ill or incurably suffering the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. We were founded to represent the interests of those facing constant and unbearable suffering, at a time when no other right to die organisation would, and to advocate on their behalf to secure a lasting change in the law.  We have quickly become one of the leading assisted dying organisations in England and Wales. We are advised by an expert medical group, are a founding member of the UK Assisted Dying Coalition, and at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow assisted dying for those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill

At least 3 in 10 people who travel to Switzerland for assisted deaths are unknown to the authorities, according to new research by the campaign group My Death, My Decision. Campaigners have said the findings raise serious questions about the current law’s effectiveness, and underlines the need for a fresh Parliamentary inquiry into assisted dying. 

Figures disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act show that between 2015 and 2019, a total of 156 crimes for aiding suicide were recorded by police forces across England and Wales. However, data from the Swiss assisted dying facilities Dignitas and Lifecircle, show that over the same period 225 people from England and Wales travelled to Switzerland and ended their lives – meaning at least 3 in 10 people were not recorded. 

In normal times, the UK Assisted Dying Coalition estimates that at least one Brit travels to Switzerland to end their life every week. 

The release of these figures come after Henry Marsh – one of the UK’s leading brain surgeons, bestselling authors, and patron of My Death, My Decision – has called for an urgent inquiry into assisted dying after revealing he has advanced prostate cancer. His call for an inquiry has been backed by more than 50 MPs and peers from different political parties, some of whom previously voted against changing the law.

Responding to the release of these new figures, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said:  

‘These new figures show that the UK’s law banning assisted dying does not protect potentially vulnerable people, but relies upon safeguards in Switzerland instead. They raise serious questions about the current law and its potential for abuse, because the UK Government cannot protect people they don’t know exist.’ 

‘At least one person a week now travels from the UK to Switzerland to end their life. During such an emotionally fraught period, a compassionate law would allow someone’s friends and family to come to terms with the death of their loved one without the threat of prosecution hanging over them. But instead, our law necessitates a culture of secrecy and deception – resulting in those accompanying loved ones abroad often doing so without any UK oversight. Meanwhile, progressive countries around the world continue to show that a regulated system of upfront safeguards is the best way to protect everyone.’

‘It is time for Parliament to scrutinise the UK’s outdated and broken laws on assisted dying, by launching a long overdue inquiry into the law. This would enable politicians to examine ill-founded claims, hear evidence from around the globe, and reach an informed decision about changing our law.’ 

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.

Read My Death, My Decision’s research at least three in ten assisted deaths are unknown to the police. 

Methodology 

In 2019 and 2020, My Death, My Decision sent a Freedom of Information request to all 43 territorial police authorities in England and Wales. The request was for the number of recorded crimes, arrests, and individuals charged for assisting another to die under the 1961 Suicide Act between 2015 and 2019; or recorded under the Home Office’s codes for assisted suicide. The total number of recorded crimes was then compared against figures held by the Swiss organisations Dignitas and Lifecircle for the number of people in England and Wales who ended their life in Switzerland, over the same period. 

Data

36 out of 43 territorial police authorities in England and Wales responded to My Death, My Decision’s Freedom of Information Requests in 2020. 41 out of 43 police authorities responded to My Death, My Decision’s Freedom of Information Requests in 2019. Overall, the total recorded crimes between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 for assisting another to end their life was 156. According to Dignitas and Lifecircle, the total number of people from England and Wales who ended their life between the same period was 225. 

3 in 10 is likely to be a conservative estimate since the number of recorded crimes from the police included assisted deaths that occurred both in the UK and abroad. Thus, the true number of people travelling to Switzerland without the police’s knowledge may be even higher. 

About My Death, My Decision

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.

Credit: Paul Jenkins, licenced under creative commons 2.0 (https://bit.ly/3beuuty)

Henry Marsh, a leading neurosurgeon and patron of My Death, My Decision, has called for an ‘essential’ inquiry into assisted dying.  He has been prompted by a cancer diagnosis, and been backed by a group of 56 MPs and peers who have sent a joint letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, calling for an inquiry. The letter was organised by My Death, My Decision and Humanists UK. 

The MPs and peers come from the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Green Party, and the Crossbenchers, and include some who had previously voted against changing the law.

The letter notes the large scale BMA poll of doctors which found half of doctors personally support a change in the law, and a broad form of assisted dying inclusive of those who are incurably suffering as well as those who are close to death. Many jurisdictions, including Canada and New Zealand, have introduced, or are considering assisted dying legislation. 

Speaking about his diagnosis, Henry Marsh said: 

‘Having spent a lifetime operating on people with cancer, the prospect of dying slowly from it myself fills me with dread. Despite the best efforts of palliative medicine, I know that dying from cancer can still be a very horrible business – for both patient and family, despite what the opponents of assisted dying claim.’

‘I fiercely believe that if people in my situation knew they had the ability to choose how, when, and where they would die, it would greatly reduce their suffering. Knowing that I had this choice, if life became unbearable, would certainly give me much greater confidence now in facing whatever the future might hold for me. But as the law stands, I am not allowed this comfort, and the law insists instead that I must suffer. Many politicians have shown a striking lack of compassion by ducking this issue for too long, and are inadvertently guilty of great cruelty. Irrespective of your view on assisted dying, I would hope everyone could agree that our laws should be based on evidence and informed decisions, not alarmist, unfounded opposition that flies in the face of all the evidence from countries where assisted dying has been legalised. It’s time for all MPs to start taking this issue seriously and I urgently call upon them to undertake an inquiry into the law.’

My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore commented: 

‘Henry Marsh is a strong and vocal supporter of MDMD’s campaign. I am deeply sorry to hear of his illness and the difficult decisions he now faces which are made harder by the cruel UK law that denies him the option of a compassionate assisted death. An inquiry is essential to allow evidence to be gathered from all sides of the debate.’

‘The letter Dr Marsh has helped bring about is incredibly significant as it demonstrates the growing sentiment among parliamentarians for considering a broad assisted dying law which will apply to those who are incurably suffering as well as those who are terminally ill. The government has already recognised the weaknesses associated with time-limited definitions of “terminal illness” in relation to benefit claimants. The focus now needs to move beyond the narrower version of assisted dying which is limited to those with a life expectancy of six months or less. More and more people are realising the limitations of that approach. Instead, the UK should carefully examine the growing evidence of the broader, more compassionate approach, adopted by Canada and other countries.’

Notes:

For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk. 

Read Humanists UK’s and My Death, My Decision’s open letter. 

About Henry Marsh

Henry Marsh, 71, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and an advanced PSA score typically associated with stage 3 and 4 cancer. The typical mortality rate for those in this situation is between one and five years.

Joint Parliamentary Letter

The letter has been signed by 56 MPs and peers, including the two co-chairs of the All Party-Parliamentary Humanist Group Crispin Blunt MP and Baroness Bakewell, as well as Aaron Bell MP, Lord Haworth, Lord Aberdare, Lord Dubs, Lord Turnbull, Andy Slaughter MP, Baroness Mallalieu, Baroness Taylor, Lord Young of Norwood Green, Beth Winter MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Christine Jardine MP, Chris Law MP, Clive Betts MP, Clive Lewis MP, Lord Soley, Lord Low of Dalston, Lord Lipsey, Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe, Duncan Baker MP, Baroness Murphy, Lord Judd, George Howarth MP, Huw Merriman MP, Baroness Whitaker, Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb, Baroness Tonge, Lord Purvis of Tweed, Lord Maxton, the Earl of Sandwich, the Duke of Somerset, Lord Barker of Dorking, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Baroness Burt, Margaret Hodge MP, Lord Rees, Viscount Ridley, Lord Desai, Lord Dobbs, Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Lord Dholakia, the Earl of Clancarty, Lord Warner, Rachel Hopkins MP, Baroness Lister, Baroness Brinton, Baroness Greengross, Baroness Hamwee, Steve McCabe MP, Lord Elder, Tommy Sheppard MP, Tracey Crouch MP, and Lord Davies of Stamford.

Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://www.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/

My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.