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Esther Rantzen at Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 – Picture by Andrew Parsons
Keir Starmer backs assisted dying vote
Assisted Dying debate should happen “sooner rather than later”.
Esther Rantzen at Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee 2022 – Picture by Andrew Parsons
“There’s a reason why so many prominent public figures have recently come out in support of legalising assisted dying. The current status quo in the UK is barbaric and forces individuals into impossible situations – suffer at home or flee abroad for death on your own terms.
Adults who are intolerably suffering from a physical condition that cannot be cured and have come to a clear and settled wish to die should be allowed that right. Diana Rigg should have had a choice and Esther Rantzen should not be forced abroad to exercise her right.”
Notes: Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033. My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives. Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://dev.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/07/13/our-summary-the-assisted-dying-inquiry/
Jersey assisted dying ethics review ‘unnecessary’
An “ethics review” of assisted dying in Jersey has been published, but campaigners have questioned the need for the review, the scope of the report and the report’s recommendations.
Assisted dying has been approved in Jersey ‘in principle’ after a citizens’ jury discussed the topic in immense detail. In 2020, a panel of 23 randomly selected representative members of the community met over a ten-week period. The panellists looked in depth at the ethical question of assisted dying. Evidence was submitted by a large range of international experts. The overwhelming majority recommended that it should be available to adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or experiencing unbearable suffering, subject to robust safeguards.
Since then, the Government of Jersey has run two different consultations on the subject. These consultations included the input of over 28 organisations, numerous individual experts from across the globe and testimony from people in Jersey affected by the law. My Death, My Decision as well as many different organisations commended the professionalism of the consultation report and the consequent proposals by the government at the time.
It is unclear why three individual experts’ opinions have been valued over and above the detailed consultation processes that have been carried out so far. There has been no clear explanation by the government as to why the review was necessary after the thorough processes outlined above.
The results of the ethical review and its recommendations are at odds with the citizens’ jury on this subject, which specifically went into detail on the eligibility criteria that any law should have. The review has recommended against including adults who are intolerably suffering from an incurable physical illness, despite 69% of the jury specifically voting in favour of that criterion.
The arguments in favour of removing these eligibility criteria included that suffering is hard to define. This is at odds with the decades of experience that can be offered by Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and Canada. Jersey can look to other jurisdictions for ways in which to address this, as well as examine how they have operated successfully in practice.
Trevor Moore, Chair of My Death, My Decision said:
“The immense amount of time, effort, expertise – and no doubt cost – that has already been invested in consideration of an assisted dying law for Jersey, throws into question why this ethical review was necessary. Equally questionable is why the opinions of three individuals have been allowed to outweigh the detailed jury process and the outcome of a comprehensive consultation, drawing on worldwide expertise.
Rather than exclude discussion of the eligibility criteria for any law on the island, surely all of the decision-makers should be allowed to hear the differing perspectives that feed into the ultimate decision? Not to allow this would be to disregard the substantial work that has already been undertaken to provide those very perspectives.”
Notes:
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
Read more about our work with the Assisted Dying Inquiry: https://dev.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/2023/07/13/our-summary-the-assisted-dying-inquiry/
Jersey forges ahead with citizens’ jury on assisted dying
Jersey’s government is moving forward with plans to convene a citizens’ assembly on assisted dying, and has invited more than 4,000 residents to register their interest in taking part. The move has been welcomed by My Death, My Decision as a positive step towards securing a meaningful change in the law.
The jury, which will comprise of 18 – 24 randomly selected members of the public, will advise Jersey’s government on whether assisted dying should be allowed after undertaking a detailed examination of the evidence. This will include in what circumstances a change in the law should be allowed. According to a poll commissioned by the group End of Life Choices Jersey, who are My Death, My Decision’s partners in the UK Assisted Dying Coalition, up to 86% of islanders believe the law should allow assisted dying for both those who are terminally ill and incurably suffering, in at least some circumstances.
Welcoming the announcement My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said:
‘With nearly 90% of the public favouring a change in the law on assisted dying, and doctors casting the most ballots in favour of the British Medical Association supporting reform, it is clear that a gulf now exists between the public, our doctors’, and our lawmakers’ attitudes on assisted dying.’
‘This is why after clamouring for a change in the law, it is so significant that the public in Jersey will soon be given an opportunity to shape the debate and be brought into the decision making. We commend Jersey’s government for not allowing this initiative to stall in the wake of Covid-19, and hope that with similarly strong calls for a fresh examination of the evidence elsewhere in the UK and Crown Dependencies, that the UK Government will take inspiration from Jersey and commit to a public inquiry immediately’.
Notes:
For any more information or comment please contact My Death, My Decision’s Campaigns and Communications Manager at campaigns@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk.
Read the press release from Jersey’s government on its Citizens’ Jury
Read more about nearly 90% of the public supporting assisted dying.
Read more about My Death, My Decision’s campaign for an inclusive change in the law: https://dev.mydeath-mydecision.org.uk/
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots non-profit organisation that campaigns for a balanced and compassionate approach to assisted dying in England and Wales. As a growing movement, we are at the forefront of social change: nearly 90% of the public now favours a change in the law to allow adults of sound mind, who are either terminally ill or facing incurable suffering, the option of a peaceful, painless, and dignified death.
Jersey will establish a Citizens ‘Jury’ on Assisted Dying
In a nationwide first, the Jersey Health Minister has said he will establish a public forum of 12 – 24 citizens to consider the issue of assisted dying reform. My Death, My Decision has welcomed the decision, which it is hoped will mark the beginning of a process to allow those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill to access a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted deaths.
The proposed ‘jury’, which would consist of a randomly and representative sample of islanders, would be tasked with producing a detailed report and set of recommendations on assisted dying, after having listened to leading experts both for and against a change in the law.
The latest move in Jersey follows after the Government had pledged to conduct a review into the current law on end-of-life practices – including assisted dying – and after My Death, My Decision’s partner in the Assisted Dying Coalition, End of Life Choices Jersey, found that more than 80% of islanders favoured a change in the law for those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill.
The moves mirrors a similar approach which later led to abortion reform in the Republic of Ireland in 2016.
Commenting on the decision, My Death, My Decision’s Chair Trevor Moore said:
‘The current law on assisted dying isn’t working. It places an unjust financial and emotional burden on those who are incurably suffering or terminally ill, and in many cases forces adults to end their lives before they would otherwise wish.’
‘But whilst there is now overwhelming public support for a change in the law, parliamentary attitudes have stayed the same – despite major changes in other jurisdictions, including Canada. These proposals for a citizen’s jury are a huge step in the right direction, and send a clear message that assisted dying shouldn’t be left in the ‘too-hard to resolve’ category anymore. We thoroughly endorse this decision and will assist the panel in any way we can to ensure there is an open, honest, and evidence-based debate.’
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 more than 1,800 people signed a petition from End of Life Choices Jersey (MDMD’s partner in the newly formed Assisted Dying Coalition).
Tanya Tupper, whose terminally ill mother Roberta is planning to end her life in the Swiss clinic Dignitas, began the campaign to change the law. Last year, after contacting Jersey’s’ election candidates she found that around a third of Jersey’s candidates would have supported changing the law to permit assisted dying in Jersey.
In answer the petition, Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf said that “much of the debate in other jurisdictions has been underpinned by shared values of care, freedom of choice and compassion. It is these shared values that we should now draw on in reviewing our own laws on end-of-life care to understand if a change is needed, and, if so, how to make that change”.
Jersey’s research will aim to bring together international research and focus upon: eligibility criteria for an assisted death, protection and safeguards for patients, the registration of medical practitioners, and ethical codes of conduct.
Jersey, an island of over 100,000 people, would be the second channel Island to consider legalising assisted dying, after Guernsey’s parliament voted against a similar proposal in May 2018.
Responding to the announcement, MDMD’s Campaign Policy Director, Phil Cheatle, who delivered a talk to the Jersey campaign group last year, said:
“My Death, My Decision is delighted by the by Council of Ministers’ decision, and congratulate our partners End of Life Choices Jersey on their process. It could give dignity to those, whose illness steals it from them; freedom to those, otherwise condemned to years of suffering and peace to families, forced either to let their loved ones suffer or risk imprisonment.”
“Having opened the door to a more compassionate approach to dying, I urge the Council of Ministers to review the evidence on an objective basis, and adopt a law which strikes a kinder balance between empowering individuals, respecting their dignity, and protecting the most vulnerable with stringent safeguards. Many in the UK and channel Islands will now look to Jersey to lead the way on this issue. Now is the time for the law to change.”
Exclusive Interview with Andi Reiss, Film Director, and personal friend of Omid
MDMD’s Campaigns and Communications Manager, Keiron McCabe, spoke exclusively with “Endgame” director Andi Reiss about Omid’s journey. Andi was present at Omid’s medically assisted suicide in Switzerland.
Photo: Omid and Andi, shortly before Omid’s death at Lifecircle Switzerland. Photo credit: Andi Reiss
How did you first become interested in the issues around Assisted Dying?
My mother died in 2010 whilst in the UK. Although she had been on a clinical trial and lived for over 19 additional good years, I eventually witnessed the indignity of her death first hand. That’s when I first started to think and examine the process of Assisted Dying in this country. It’s also why I wanted to direct a documentary examining these issues in more depth than anyone had done before.
And how did you find out about Omid’s case?
About two years ago I approached My Death, My Decision’s coordinator Phil Cheatle about the Endgame film and the issues surrounding Assisted Dying. Phil and everyone at MDMD were great and that’s how I first found out about Omid. I got to know Omid over the filming of Endgame. But it was more than that, I spent a lot of time with Omid and Omid wasn’t just someone I was following for a documentary, Omid was my friend.
I realise you were with Omid and spent some time with him when he went to Lifecircle for medically assisted Suicide. What was Omid’s mood and atmosphere when he decided to end his life?
It’s hard to emphasise enough, just how much anguish and pain Omid was in before he visited Lifecircle. I’ve known Omid for over two years now and words simply can’t describe it. It’s quite an extraordinary thing. No one can fully comprehend that the day you are going to die could be one of the best days of your life.
The mood at Lifecircle was joyous! I’d never seen Omid so excited, happy and calm. He looked incredibly relaxed and was very peaceful. It was extraordinary. It might be hard to understand, but when someone becomes incurably sick and life becomes totally hopeless, making that choice is empowering. Omid’s life had become at the behest of everyone. He couldn’t do anything for himself anymore. So knowing that you can lean over and switch the valve and go to sleep within one minute is pure empowerment.
Endgame is scheduled for a screening on Tuesday 9th October 2018 in Jersey. Further information can be found at: www.endgamemovie.uk
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