Chris

The proposed safeguards are pathetic (the second medical opinion comes from a doctor nominated by the first? An overworked judge with no medical specialism is likely to make any serious effort to scrutinise the medical opinion of two doctors? Please.)

The woeful state of palliative care in this country creates pressure for this law to be passed and also ensures people will choose to die who, with proper end of life care, could have a dignified, natural death. It is no coincidence that those who do work in palliative care are against this in large numbers.

And nobody is addressing the elephant in the room, which is that in all other cases attempted suicide, or even contemplating it (‘suicidal ideation’) is itself treated as a mental health issue, which in the case of assisted dying legislation would disqualify someone from being granted it.

The whole idea of it devalues life and dignity.