CLINICAL ADVISORY GROUP
My Death, My Decision’s expert Clinical Advisory Group has several roles. It advises the campaign on scientific matters, acts as a contact point for clinicians who support assisted dying reform, and contributes to interactions with individuals who wish to share their medical stories with the organisation.
To fulfil these activities, the CAG is comprised of MDMD Board members with Medical, Nursing, Drug Developments, Research and Ethics backgrounds. The CAG is also supported by associate members with similar expertise – the CAG is always happy to make contact with other professionals with relevant clinical or academic experience (whether practising, studying, or retired).
CLINICAL ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS
Richard Osborne
Richard graduated from Manchester University Medical School and undertook Medical Oncology training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London and the National Cancer Institute. His career included Consultant posts at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, and Dorset Cancer Centre. Latterly he was Clinical Director of Oncology for the Wide Bay Cancer Care Service, Queensland, Australia, before retiring at the end of 2019.
Richard combined clinical practice with therapeutic research in the areas of ovarian cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, acute oncology and unknown primary cancer. He was also active in defining best practice in several areas of cancer management through his involvement in NICE Clinical Guideline committees. The nature of Richard’s clinical work meant that his patients were usually those for whom cancer treatment was given with palliative intent. Accordingly, he has extensive experience of managing end-of-life care. His familiarity with the limitations of existing treatment in this situation has been translated into a recognition of the place that Assisted Dying should take in holistic patient care.
Anthony Lockett
Tony graduated from Newcastle University and St Andrews University and undertook his training in infectious diseases and tropical medicine in Newcastle, Liverpool and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and in healthcare policy at DHSC. His career has included posts at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, DHSC, pharmaceutical research companies such as Fortea, and King’s College London. Currently, he is Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Medicine at King’s College London and Medical Director for a spin-out of Durham University.
Tony has combined a career in academic medicine with research in rare diseases and medical ethics. His area of research is neurodegeneration, especially rare dementia. As a medical ethicist, he chairs both NHS and academic ethics committees with a special interest in rare disease and gene therapy. Here he has considerable experience in life-limiting disorders and end-of-life care. His familiarity with the limitations of existing treatments in rare diseases has been translated into a recognition of the place that assisted dying should take in holistic patient care and the choices people with life-limiting conditions make.
Luke Costello
Luke is a Registered Nurse with a background in accident & emergency as well as critical care nursing. After completing additional training via an MSc at Queen Mary University of London, Luke now works as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner within an Intensive Care Unit. His direct clinical work frequently involves supporting dying patients in both palliative and non-palliative contexts.
Though always a proponent of assisted dying legislation, Luke’s support was further solidified via a personal experience when his Mum received assisted dying in Canada, where she resided prior to her death.
CLINICL ADVISORY GROUP PRIORITIES
ADVOCATING FOR THE ADOPTION OF ASSISTED DYING IN THE UK, IN COMMON WITH THE PRACTICE IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE
My Death, My Decision’s Clinical Advisory Group campaigns for the recognition of assisted dying as a basic healthcare right. It argues that assisted dying logically forms an essential part of holistic palliative care provision. THE CAG supports the wider work of MDMD by providing clinical experience and insight to all aspects of the organisation’s work.
CHAMPIONING BROADER PATIENT END-OF-LIFE CHOICES
The view of the Clinical Advisory Group is that many progressive and neurological conditions can have effects upon their patients which are as bad as terminal illnesses, if not worse. They believe that those facing intolerable and incurable suffering should be given a choice over how and when they die.
They believe people with terminal or intolerable conditions should have access to a range of end of life choices including palliative care, terminal sedation and assisted dying. In jurisdictions where this approach has been adopted, evidence suggests that end of life care works best when both palliative care and legal assisted dying work together.
They also believe that it is important for doctors and nurses in particular to recognise their role within the assisted dying debate and contribute their expertise.
TACKLING DIFFICULTIES IN THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP AT END-OF-LIFE
The Clinical Advisory Group believes it is vital that doctors and patients can have an open, frank, and honest conversation about end of life issues. Doctors should feel equipped to talk without fear or embarrassment about dying and encourage their patients to make their wishes known through Advance Decisions or a Lasting Power of Attorney.
If patients want to ask about ending their lives by going to abroad, it is important that doctors should not be prevented from engaging in such conversations, even if only to explain a patient’s condition and alternative options. Pending a change in the law, if ending their life abroad is a patient’s longstanding, voluntary, and informed wish, legal and professional guidance should enable clinicians to provide medical reports and maintain patient confidentiality.
