Scottish End of Life Assistance to be Bill published today

Margo McDonald MSP will
today launch her End of Life Assistance Bill for Scotland, following a public
consultation.

Sarah Wootton, Chief
Executive at Dignity in Dying said:

“This Bill provides an important
opportunity for a much-needed debate on assisted dying in Scotland.

“People want choice and
control at the end of life. Without a safeguarded law regulating choice over
how and when we die, many people will take matters into their own hands. This
problem must be addressed, otherwise we are effectively condoning people
travelling abroad to die, ‘mercy killings’ and suicides behind closed doors. We
commend Margo MacDonald for reigniting this debate in Scotland, and for seeking
a compassionate way forward.

“This Bill represents an
opportunity to learn from the experience from other jurisdictions that have
legalised and regulated assisted dying for the terminally ill, and for Scotland
to add its name to the growing list of progressive countries and US States that
have changed the law.

“Going forward, and after
carefully studying the Bill, Dignity in Dying will outline areas where we
believe improvements could be made. This will include restricting the scope of
the Bill to terminally ill adults.

“The next stage for the
Bill is consideration by the Health Committee, followed by a Report. We
look forward to assisting the Health Committee during the evidence stage, and
eagerly anticipate the Committee’s findings.”

-ends-

Notes to
editor:

About Dignity in Dying:

· 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.

· Dignity
in Dying has over 100,000 supporters and receives its funding entirely from
donations from the public.

· Surveys
consistently show that at least 80% of the UK population supports 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