'I didn't believe in assisted dying but now I think people should have a choice'

A NURSE who helped pioneer palliative care services in England says she changed her mind about assisted dying after realising some patients can “never be as free from suffering as they, or we, would have wanted”.

- By Hanna Geissler Health Editor

Harriet Copperman, 79, was awarded an OBE in recognition of her work from the 1970s providing care for people who want to die at home.

She believed patients who asked for help to die just needed more support to manage their symptoms.

But Ms Copperman now says they should be allowed to die at a time of their choosing. Her own diagnosis of tongue cancer eight years ago has only strengthened her view.

Ms Copperman, from Barnet, North London, added: “I’ve had surgery but it’s never certain that it’s gone.

Comfortable