Andrew Barclay calls for law change before dying at Dignitas

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, said:

“We are very sorry to hear of Andrew’s death, our thoughts are with his family and friends.

“It is a tragic and unacceptable reality that seriously ill people like Andrew Barclay feel they have no other choice but to spend their final days travelling hundreds of miles to Switzerland in order to have the dignified death they desire.

“We know that every two weeks, someone from Britain travels to Dignitas for an assisted death. A further 300 terminally ill people end their own lives at home every year – doing so behind closed doors, frightened and alone. Many more suffer until their illness finally kills them or they starve themselves to death. This is surely proof enough that our laws are broken and urgently need addressing.

“Despite 82% of the public supporting assisted dying, our Government has failed to act. Following developments in Canada, California and Colorado this year, over 92 million people in North America will be covered by assisted dying legislation – yet terminally ill people in this country are being denied their fundamental rights at the end of life. How many more tragic cases must happen before our Government stops ignoring the pleas of dying people and takes action?”

***ENDS***

For media enquiries, please contact Ellie Ball on ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk / 07725433025

Notes to Editor

Dignity in Dying campaigns for greater choice, control and access to services at the end of life. It advocates providing terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death, within strict legal safeguards, and for universal access to high quality end-of-life care.