NEWS
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
‘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…
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.…
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,…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
‘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,…
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…
“Euthanasia in the Netherlands”. Look again, when someone says death will be available on demand.
Christopher Bellaigue raises an important question for those of us who advocate for assisted dying reform. In a society which permits euthanasia, what are the acceptable limits to autonomy? As…
Pulling “the plug on your life support … because of a message you left on facebook” – Fact or Fiction?
MDMD’s Campaigns and Communication Manager, Keiron McCabe, breaks down the new Clinically-Assisted Hydration and Nutrition Guidance from the British Medical Association Recently, writing in the Daily Mail, Dr Max Pemberton…
Parliament hears from top Canadian Doctors, on the experiences of assisted dying abroad
On Tuesday 11th December, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on End of Life Choices, met to hear from Dr Sandy Buchman and Professor Sir John Temple, on the role of…
American Family Physicians Association (AAFP) changes position on medical aid in dying
In October 2018 it is reported that the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) broke ranks with the American Medical Association (AMA) by adopting a position of “engaged neutrality” on…
MDMD Coordinator asks Baroness Finlay how to avoid late stage dementia
On 29th November 2018 Baroness Ilora Finlay gave a talk at Bristol University titled “As the light fades: Do law and ethics collide?”. Baroness Finlay is a professor of palliative…
Talking about Dying – More than Meets the Eye?
Recently the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), in a widely reported statement, called for doctors to start talking about death earlier. It followed from a report, “Talking about Dying”, which…
PRESS RELEASE: Right to Die Campaigner Noel Conway Loses challenge in UK’s Highest Court
Today, assisted dying campaigner Noel Conway has lost permission to bring a case before the Supreme Court. Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) four years ago, the retired teacher from…
Assisted Dying in the USA, A Good First Step But Room for Improvement
The BBC2 documentary by Louis Theroux, “Choosing Death”, which aired on Sunday 18th November 2018 and is available on iPlayer until May 2019, showed examples of the Oregon/California right to…
PRESS RELEASE: A New Documentary Has Explored the Realities of Oregon’s Assisted Dying Model
On Sunday, BBC 2 aired the second installment of Louis Theroux’s new documentary series Altered States. “Choosing Death” followed the journeys of Gus, Lorri and Debra, as they grappled with…
