NEWS
Phil Newby asks High Court for the right to challenge the UK’s ban on assisted dying
Phil Newby, a man who is facing incurable suffering and wants the right to challenge the UK’s ban on assisted dying, yesterday appealed for permission before the High Court.Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Medical Aid in Dying for those with early stage Dementia in Canada
Canadians have had legal access to medical aid in dying (MAID), the preferred term there, since June 2016. The Canadian law does not limit MAID to those who are expected…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Book Review: O, Let me not get Alzheimer’s Sweet Heaven!
Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the number of deaths attributed to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia continues to rise. 1 in 8 of…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Marking one year since assisted dying campaigner Omid T’s death
oday marks one year since the right-to-die campaigner Omid T ended his life in Switzerland. To honour the anniversary, My Death, My Decision has released the exclusive extract from the…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Canadian court rules in favour of assisted dying for the incurably suffering
The Quebec Superior Court has struck down a restriction under Canada’s law on assisted dying against those with progressive and incurable illnesses as unconstitutional. Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
17 People a Day Will Suffer As They Die
Dignity in Dying have published a hard-hitting report on how unpleasant the realities of dying in the UK today can be for some people. The report 'The Inescapable Truth. How…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Two more bad deaths show how the current law is failing
Two recent news stories concerning suicide inquests demonstrate again how the current assisted suicide law prevents people who are incurably suffering having the peaceful death they would choose.Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Open Letter to the Secretary of State for Justice
To mark the tenth anniversary of Debbie Purdy's landmark assisted dying case, which resulted in the current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) guidelines on the Assisted Suicide law, My Death,…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Government to review “Terminal Illness” definition
The common understanding of the term "terminal illness" is 'a disease or condition which can’t be cured and is likely to lead to someone’s death.' This can apply to advanced…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Parliamentary debate on the UK Assisted Suicide Law
On 4th July 2019 the House of Commons had the first opportunity to debate assisted dying since the Marris Bill failed in September 2015. The debate can be seen in…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Another incurably suffering man launches new assisted dying challenge
Phil Newby, 48, who suffers from advanced Motor Neurone Disease, has announced his intention to bring a new legal case challenging the UK’s law on assisted dying. Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
My Time to Die
LBC's Nick Ferrari interviewed Alzheimer's sufferer Alex Pandolfo about his plans to end his life in Switzerland. The moving video is available on line. Nick gently probes Alex's motivation for…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
BMA to poll members on assisted dying
MDMD is greatly encouraged in its campaign by the news that both the BMA and RCGP are to consult their members on their view of assisted dying. Precise details are…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Rational Suicide in the Elderly: the US perspective
A recent article in the Washington Post describes a group of residents of a retirement community in Philadelphia who hold clandestine meetings to discuss their desires for a rational end…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Autonomy and Safety of Assisted Suicide Law – reflecting on Jonathan Sumption’s Reith Lecture comments
This year's BBC Reith lecturer is former supreme court judge Jonathan Sumption QC, who was one of the judges in the Tony Nicklinson case. In his first lecture "Law’s Expanding…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
MDMD welcomes the news that patron, Paul Lamb, intends to bring a new right-to-die case
Paul Lamb, who previously took his case for the right to die to the Supreme Court, is now seeking to bring forth a new attempt to change the UK’s law…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
‘Endgame’ Documentary on Assisted Dying Available Online
Endgame is a documentary made over 18 months in 2017/8 by independent film maker Andi Reiss. It has been shown, with much praise, at many film festivals and at independent…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Death of MD.MG’s Distinguished Member Dr Michael O’Donnell
My Death, My Decision was saddened to hear recently of the death of Dr Michael O'Donnell, a distinguished member of our Medical group and an active supporter of assisted dying.…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
New Jersey Legalises Assisted Dying
On 12th April 2019 the Governor of the US state of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, signed a bill into law which allows assisted suicide for those who have mental capacity,…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Renewed campaign to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
A major push is being made to change the law in Scotland, led by Dignity in Dying (Scotland). MDMD strongly supports this. Although their campaign is limited to the "terminally…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Doctors vote for the Royal College of Physicians to adopt a neutral position on assisted dying
Today, doctors voted to change the Royal College of Physicians policy on assisted dying to neutral and not oppose any change in the law.Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Acclaimed Doctors Call Upon Parliament To Stop Ignoring Assisted Dying Reform
A new medical organisation in favour of assisted dying has been formed in the UK and will work to change the law on assisted dying to allow people in the…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
The ‘forfeiture’ rule and assisted dying – punishing compassionate families?
Recently, it was reported that Sarah Ninian, the wife of Alexander Ninian who ended his life at the Swiss clinic Dignitas in 2017, was entitled to inherit from her husband.Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
93% think that assisted dying is acceptable in at least some situations
MDMD has released the results of research it sponsored through the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The work tested public acceptability of various forms of assisted dying. In all…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
The Legacy of Debbie Purdy – Radio 4 programme
BBC Radio 4 recently broadcast a 2 part programme about Debbie Purdy. The first part is a dramatisation of the story of how Debbie took her legal case to the…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Jersey Government Will Research Assisted Dying Reform
Last week, Jersey’s Council of Ministers announced that a new commission will research end of life options, including the legalisation of assisted dying and dying well The announcement follows after…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
“I readily acknowledge that many of these cases are tragic.” says HM Advocate General for Scotland and MoJ spokesperson for the Lords The Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC
Today, in an oral question relating to the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) Policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide, several members of the House of…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
Assisted Dying Coalition launches
MDMD is delighted with the launch of a formal coalition of like-minded organisations campaigning in the UK and crown dependencies for a change in the law on assisted dying. The…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
‘Five to Midnight’ Before Dementia Takes Over
A BBC story discusses the assisted death of dementia sufferers, in particular the case of Annie Zwijnenberg in the Netherlands. Annie was never in any doubt that she wanted euthanasia,…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1:
MDMD Campaign Policy Director responds Dominic Lawson
Today, the Daily Mail published an article by Dominic Lawson, criticising the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) decision to poll their members on assisted dying. His article misses some important…Subject: Oral Evidence Sessions: Day 2 Session 2 Legal and Palliative Care Considerations This afternoon saw the second session of the second day of oral evidence. The Committee examining the Terminally Ill Adults Bill questioned experts on the legal aspects of the Bill, as well as the palliative care and disability considerations. Make sure to read our summary of yesterday’s morning session and afternoon session, and this morning’s session. Session 1: