Dignity in Dying welcomes opportunity to debate assisted dying in Scotland, 08/12/2008

Media statement

8th December
Dignity in Dying welcomes opportunity to debate assisted dying in Scotland.

Margo McDonald MEP today launched her consultation on a Proposed End of Life Choices Bill for Scotland.

The draft Bill includes an option of assistance to die for people with degenerative conditions, terminal illnesses and those who become entirely dependent on others following a trauma.

Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive at Dignity in Dying said:

“Dignity in Dying supports a change in the law for mentally competent, terminally ill adults at the end of their lives as well as greater choice, control and access to services for all, and we welcome the opportunity to debate who should benefit from a change in the law and what the necessary safeguards should be.

There is clearly a problem with the existing system, both in England and Scotland, which currently forces some people to resort to desperate and often dangerous measures, such as travelling abroad to die, ‘mercy killings’ and botched suicides and this needs to be address with urgency.

There will be some people who will never accept a change in the law, often due to their religious beliefs, however they should not be able to impose their beliefs on the 80% of the population who do support a change in the law. No mentally competent terminally ill adult should be forced to suffer against their wishes at the end of their lives.”

-ends-

Notes to editor:

About Dignity in Dying:

– Dignity in Dying is the leading organisation in the UK that advocates assisted dying for terminally ill patients.
– Dignity in Dying has over 100,000 supporters and receives its funding entirely from donations from the public.
– Opinion polls consistently show that at least 80% of the UK population support a change in the law on assisted dying.

Media Contacts:
For all media enquiries, please contact Jo Cartwright on 020 7479 7737 or at jo.cartwright@dignityindying.org.uk