Former nurse launches new campaign to legalise assisted dying in Chelmsford

A former nurse from Chelmsford is launching a new local group campaigning to change the law on assisted dying, which meets for the first time on Thursday 25th January at 7pm at the Quaker Meeting House on Rainsford Road. Elaine Bewick, 71, is encouraging local people to come along and get behind her campaign to allow terminally ill people choice and control over their death and the right to die on their own terms. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Chelmsford is the newest group to join a network of 33 across the country that support Dignity in Dying in campaigning for a change in the law to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults the option of an assisted death. Elaine, whose career in the nursing profession spanned 46 years, felt compelled to get involved in the campaign having recently nursed a dear friend who had terminal motor neurone disease.

Elaine explained:

“My friend was a nurse herself and knew what suffering might lie ahead for her. She had always maintained that she would have wanted a dignified and humane exit from a terminal disease such as MND. Both of my parents suffered greatly towards the end of their lives, and I witnessed various levels of disease and dying during my career as a nurse.

“I believe that options including assisted dying should be available to people nearing the end of their lives to avoid unnecessary distress. Obviously I appreciate that many people would want to keep trying until the very end, for a number of reasons, but there should be a choice for those who are suffering unbearably and irredeemably.”

Dignity in Dying has been supporting Noel Conway, a 68-year-old man with terminal motor neurone disease, to bring a judicial review challenging the current law on assisted dying. Following a hearing at the High Court in July 2017, a judgment was handed down in October 2017 denying permission for the case to proceed. A hearing is due to take place at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Thursday 18th January 2018 to determine whether Mr Conway and his legal team are granted permission to appeal this decision. If successful the case will proceed to the Court of Appeal.

When: Thursday 25th January 2018, arrive 6.45pm for a 7pm start
Where: Quaker Meeting House, 82 Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2QL

For more information: Please contact activism@dignityindying.org.uk

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Notes to Editor
For information on the national campaign, please visit www.dignityindying.org.uk or contact Ellie Ball, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying at ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk or 0207 479 7732.

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.