NEWS AND COMMENT
Ban on assisted dying undermines end-of-life care in Wales, suggests My Death, My Decision
My Death, My Decision has responded to a consultation on the future of justice in Wales by calling for assisted dying to be devolved - in order to unify Wales’…
Adults have a right to shape and control their end-of-life, says Court of Protection
A 34-year-old man who is on life-support will be allowed to die following a ruling from the Court of Protection. The man, known as ‘MSP’ for legal reasons, has suffered…
Restricting assisted dying to the terminally ill would be ‘totally arbitrary’, says disabled journalist Melanie Reid
Award-winning journalist of the Times’ Spinal Column and author of The World I Fell Out Of Melanie Reid MBE, has criticised attempts to limit assisted dying for those with only…
Medical voices urge doctors to respect patients’ wishes about coronavirus
An article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has called upon healthcare professionals to respect their patients’ end-of-life wishes, and ensure that the rights of those receiving care are…
Dutch court backs assistance to die for people with advanced Alzheimer’s
The Netherlands’ highest court has ruled that doctors can honour euthanasia requests for adults with advanced Alzheimer's, provided they have signed a written request beforehand.
Distinguished right-to-die activist Barbara Smoker dies
My Death, My Decision was sad to learn that the celebrated right-to-die activist Barbara Smoker has died aged 97.
Queensland – the next Australian state to legalise Assisted Dying?
A parliamentary committee has recommended that the Australian state of Queensland should legalise voluntary assisted dying for adults with an advanced terminal illness.
MDMD condemns inhumane lack of choice, as incurably suffering man is forced to starve himself to death
An incurably suffering man, who wants the option of a legal assisted death, has decided to end his life by starving himself to death - while the choice is still…
Assisted Dying laws forced our mum to die without the right-to-say-goodbye, says grieving family
The family of an unnamed woman who travelled to Switzerland to die in secrecy have criticised the current ban on assisted dying for denying their family and close friends a…
Jersey will establish a Citizens ‘Jury’ on Assisted Dying
In a nationwide first, the Jersey Health Minister has said he will establish a public forum of 12 - 24 citizens to consider the issue of assisted dying reform. My…
Do Alzheimer’s sufferers have to choose assisted dying too soon?
Leila Bell, an 85 year old Canadian, suffered from early stage Alzheimer's disease. She died in August 2019 using the Canadian Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) legislation. However, in an…
Germany’s top court overturns ban on physician-assisted dying
Germany’s constitutional court has ruled that a law forbidding professional assistance to die is unconstitutional, in a move that is being seen as a major victory for assisted dying campaigners.
Canada moves to broaden assisted dying law
The Canadian government has proposed changing the law on assisted dying to extend access for those who are not terminally ill.
Distinguished Doctors and Philosophers urge BMA members to support assisted dying
A diverse range of thirty doctors, philosophers, academics, and campaigners have signed an open letter, which appeared in the Guardian today, urging members of the British Medical Association to support…
Royal College of General Practitioners maintain opposition to assisted dying
The Royal College of General Practitioners has maintained its 14-year opposition to assisted dying, despite a majority of GPs voting to support a change in the law or adopt a…
Dark money anti-assisted dying ad taken down from Facebook
A Facebook advertisement by the anti-assisted dying organisation Our duty of care UK has been taken down for failing to disclose who paid for it.
MDMD urges BMA to vote in favour of compassion and empathy
My Death, My Decision has called on the British Medical Association (BMA) members to consider compassion and empathy by voting in favour of assisting dying in the association’s consultation which…
Assisted dying campaigner Phil Newby refused permission by Court of Appeal
Phil Newby has been denied permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge the UK’s prohibitive law on assisted dying.
Justice Secretary considers review into assisted dying
Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC, has announced that he is considering a review into the law on assisted dying, adding there is a need to ‘take into…
MPs debate assisted dying call for evidence
MPs from across the political divide have supported calls for an independent inquiry into assisted dying. My Death, My Decision welcomed MPs’ support on this issue.
