Assisted dying law risks undermining our trust in doctors

‘Assisted dying opens a Pandora's box of fundamental questions’

- Dr Amy Proffitt

RECENTLY in these pages, former Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable suffering from dementia and depression, and how it influenced his views on assisted dying. No one can doubt the strength of feelings when someone witnesses a loved one suffer at the end of their life wrote powerfully about his late mother's Sir Vince is right to draw attention to the fact that we must continue to do more to ease the suffering of those with terminal illnesses. Part of this lies in improving palliative [pain relief] and end-of-life care, an area. I know well, having worked as a palliative care consultant for many years.

In my experience, a simple answer does not solve the complex problem of how best to help relieve the suffering of those in the final stages of life.

The Daily Express's Give Us Our Last Rights campaign backs following the likes of Canada and Belgium in legalising assisted dying.

But changing the law is no small matter. It opens a Pandora's box of fundamental questions around the role of doctors and medical professionals, patient safety, and ethics.

ACTIONS to end a person's life are entirely distinct from withholding and withdrawing treatment.