QLA on Dying with Dignity

We need immediate new legislation which allows the medical profession to deal with distressed and terminally ill (particularly older) patients in the way they consider most appropriate at the point of death. Switzerland, amongst others, already has constructed adequate legislation. The State of Oregon in the USA, which has had voluntary euthanasia legislation in place for more than eight years, reports absolutely no abuse of the system which already has brought relief from worry and distress to many citizens.

In this age when incredible changes and developments in technology solve so many of our physical problems, is it too much to expect our legislators to use their brains and devise legislation which would solve this problem adequately? Since becoming interested in the campaign to gain this legislation, I have heard case after case where terminally ill people have been forced to accept a long period of pain and distress and misery - for absolutely no purpose whatever. Some objectors say it invites criminal behaviour and relatives "getting rid of someone" to gain an inheritance. It seems to me there is a clear answer: plenty of safeguards built into the legislation, even maybe requiring a government inspector personally interviewing the patient and providing to the doctor a certificate authorising him to do whatever is required to relieve the stress.

Having been in the iron lung with polio - and having been lucky enough to escape - I understand the distress of choking and fighting for every breath, hour after hour.

Come on Members of Parliament. Do something to take the worry away from millions of old people in particular, and allow the medical profession to provide Dying with Dignity for those who need it.

So, what's your view? Send us a note via Jim's Blog - see link, top right.

Return to Home Page

Back to Top