NEWS
Open Letter to the Secretary of State for Justice
To mark the tenth anniversary of Debbie Purdy's landmark assisted dying case, which resulted in the current Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) guidelines on the Assisted Suicide law, My Death,…
Government to review “Terminal Illness” definition
The common understanding of the term "terminal illness" is 'a disease or condition which can’t be cured and is likely to lead to someone’s death.' This can apply to advanced…
Parliamentary debate on the UK Assisted Suicide Law
On 4th July 2019 the House of Commons had the first opportunity to debate assisted dying since the Marris Bill failed in September 2015. The debate can be seen in…
Another incurably suffering man launches new assisted dying challenge
Phil Newby, 48, who suffers from advanced Motor Neurone Disease, has announced his intention to bring a new legal case challenging the UK’s law on assisted dying.
My Time to Die
LBC's Nick Ferrari interviewed Alzheimer's sufferer Alex Pandolfo about his plans to end his life in Switzerland. The moving video is available on line. Nick gently probes Alex's motivation for…
BMA to poll members on assisted dying
MDMD is greatly encouraged in its campaign by the news that both the BMA and RCGP are to consult their members on their view of assisted dying. Precise details are…
Rational Suicide in the Elderly: the US perspective
A recent article in the Washington Post describes a group of residents of a retirement community in Philadelphia who hold clandestine meetings to discuss their desires for a rational end…
Autonomy and Safety of Assisted Suicide Law – reflecting on Jonathan Sumption’s Reith Lecture comments
This year's BBC Reith lecturer is former supreme court judge Jonathan Sumption QC, who was one of the judges in the Tony Nicklinson case. In his first lecture "Law’s Expanding…
MDMD welcomes the news that patron, Paul Lamb, intends to bring a new right-to-die case
Paul Lamb, who previously took his case for the right to die to the Supreme Court, is now seeking to bring forth a new attempt to change the UK’s law…
‘Endgame’ Documentary on Assisted Dying Available Online
Endgame is a documentary made over 18 months in 2017/8 by independent film maker Andi Reiss. It has been shown, with much praise, at many film festivals and at independent…
Death of MD.MG’s Distinguished Member Dr Michael O’Donnell
My Death, My Decision was saddened to hear recently of the death of Dr Michael O'Donnell, a distinguished member of our Medical group and an active supporter of assisted dying.…
New Jersey Legalises Assisted Dying
On 12th April 2019 the Governor of the US state of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, signed a bill into law which allows assisted suicide for those who have mental capacity,…
Renewed campaign to legalise assisted dying in Scotland.
A major push is being made to change the law in Scotland, led by Dignity in Dying (Scotland). MDMD strongly supports this. Although their campaign is limited to the "terminally…
Doctors vote for the Royal College of Physicians to adopt a neutral position on assisted dying
Today, doctors voted to change the Royal College of Physicians policy on assisted dying to neutral and not oppose any change in the law.
Acclaimed Doctors Call Upon Parliament To Stop Ignoring Assisted Dying Reform
A new medical organisation in favour of assisted dying has been formed in the UK and will work to change the law on assisted dying to allow people in the…
The ‘forfeiture’ rule and assisted dying – punishing compassionate families?
Recently, it was reported that Sarah Ninian, the wife of Alexander Ninian who ended his life at the Swiss clinic Dignitas in 2017, was entitled to inherit from her husband.
93% think that assisted dying is acceptable in at least some situations
MDMD has released the results of research it sponsored through the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). The work tested public acceptability of various forms of assisted dying. In all…
The Legacy of Debbie Purdy – Radio 4 programme
BBC Radio 4 recently broadcast a 2 part programme about Debbie Purdy. The first part is a dramatisation of the story of how Debbie took her legal case to the…
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…
“I readily acknowledge that many of these cases are tragic.” says HM Advocate General for Scotland and MoJ spokesperson for the Lords The Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC
Today, in an oral question relating to the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) Policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Cases of Encouraging or Assisting Suicide, several members of the House of…
