Right to die.

[Tashyboy]

Just watching the news where a guy is going to the court because the NHS won't/can't help in his right to die. He is terminal and does not want to suffer any more.
Last week, the NHS was slated for withdrawing assistance to Alfie.
Both cases, both were dying, one they help the other they don't. What am I missing .
Thoughts please

 

[USER1999]

They cant help someone die. They can withdraw treatment, which in certain circumstances might lead to death. But it might not. Cancer for instance, will run its course, with or without meds.

 

[MegaSteve]

I am hoping that I am able sooner rather than later be able to recognise my time left is limited...
And, to be able to do the deed without involving anyone else...

One thing that truly scares me is a lingering passing...

 

[Kellfire]

Assisted suicide isn’t the same as dying due to the withdrawal of treatment. Case closed. Thread can be locked now. x

 

[Tashyboy]

Assisted suicide isn’t the same as dying due to the withdrawal of treatment. Case closed. Thread can be locked now. x

My point was that someone makes a decision to withdraw treatment so someone dies. Yet that the same someone makes a decision to not treat someone who is dying.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

My point was that someone makes a decision to withdraw treatment so someone dies. Yet that the same someone makes a decision to not treat someone who is dying.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to be treated - it’s he wants to be given something that will kill him - there is a clear difference

The NHS didn’t help Alfie die - they allowed nature to take its course when they stopped treatment

 

[Tashyboy]

It’s not that he doesn’t want to be treated - it’s he wants to be given something that will kill him - there is a clear difference

The NHS didn’t help Alfie die - they allowed nature to take its course when they stopped treatment

But both patients were suffering.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

But both patients were suffering.

I have no doubt - but again allowing someone to die naturally which is what happened with Alfie isn’t the same as assisted suicide.

The NHS will treat both patients the same way - they didn’t assist in Alfie passing and right now they won’t assist in terminal illness patients passing and will let nature take its course.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am hoping that I am able sooner rather than later be able to recognise my time left is limited...
And, to be able to do the deed without involving anyone else...

One thing that truly scares me is a lingering passing...

You and me both. The thought of becoming riddled with disease and unable to fend for myself and become a burden on my wife and others worries me a lot, especially seeing how my mum and dad were in the last stages of their cancer. As Kellfire rightly says, assisted suicide is not the same as withdrawing treatment. Last year's club captain has been dealing with a 93 year old mother at the end of her life in a hospice. They sent her home to be allowed to die there, expecting it to be with a day or so and a week later she's still hanging on. Treatment withdrawn doesn't always mean a swift end

 

[SocketRocket]

How can you expect a Doctor or Nurse to Kill You! Stopping a machine that artificially keeps someone alive who is brain dead is completely different.

 

[Hobbit]

I Consultant friend of mine once said to me there's a fine line between prolonging life and prolonging death. No doctor wants to prolong death, but finding that balance is almost impossible.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I reflect on the fate of a good friend from previous club - a friend close enough to come to my wedding. Big lad from Fife - full of life - great singer of the folk songs of Scotland. But we lost touch when I moved away from Bristle. Went back to my Bristle club a few years ago and at the club was speaking with his best mate and asked how he was. The big man was gone a few years before. I didn't know. I couldn't believe it. MND got him - and took him in maybe 9months if I recall. So quick - so devastating.

Towards the end he had to be strapped into a chair to keep him upright - all control gone. I just can't imagine what it must have been like for him - his best mate said it was awful for him. It upsets me even thinking of my friend as I type. I can't make a case that say's it was better that he was kept alive rather than have him and his family relieve his and their desperation and pain.

God bless you Mac - never forgotten

 

[SocketRocket]

I reflect on the fate of a good friend from previous club - a friend close enough to come to my wedding. Big lad from Fife - full of life - great singer of the folk songs of Scotland. But we lost touch when I moved away from Bristle. Went back to my Bristle club a few years ago and at the club was speaking with his best mate and asked how he was. The big man was gone a few years before. I didn't know. I couldn't believe it. MND got him - and took him in maybe 9months if I recall. So quick - so devastating.

Towards the end he had to be strapped into a chair to keep him upright - all control gone. I just can't imagine what it must have been like for him - his best mate said it was awful for him. It upsets me even thinking of my friend as I type. I can't make a case that say's it was better that he was kept alive rather than have him and his family relieve his and their desperation and pain.

God bless you Mac - never forgotten

First: Good that you say Bristle and not Brissle

I do understand how such cases are heartbreaking but I can only repeat that it is not acceptable for medical staff to end life of those not brain dead.

 

[Tashyboy]

How can you expect a Doctor or Nurse to Kill You! Stopping a machine that artificially keeps someone alive who is brain dead is completely different.

In the same way you would put a dog to sleep that is suffering.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

In the same way you would put a dog to sleep that is suffering.

I’m with you Tash.
Just as you can sign a DNR when in hospital so you should be able to decide, either previously or at the present, that your quality of life is that poor that you have no wish to carry on and prolong your suffering.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

First: Good that you say Bristle and not Brissle

I do understand how such cases are heartbreaking but I can only repeat that it is not acceptable for medical staff to end life of those not brain dead.

Well there is only one way to krek waiter's peak bristle

I absolutely get the bind that medical staff find themselves and once again I find myself conflicted in my views.

 

[User62651]

Just watching the news where a guy is going to the court because the NHS won't/can't help in his right to die. He is terminal and does not want to suffer any more.
Last week, the NHS was slated for withdrawing assistance to Alfie.
Both cases, both were dying, one they help the other they don't. What am I missing .
Thoughts please

Think it's all about the law, it's illegal here. Probably got some religious element behind that law.

However a Briton goes to Dignitas in Switzerland every 2 weeks on average to end their lives. Costs about £6k for the whole shebang. Fact any Briton can do this makes our law seem a bit ineffective if you can bypass it that easily.

If it works in Switzerland not sure why can't it work here too. We're supposed to be a liberal country.

 

[chrisd]

The only defence I've seen to not allowing assisted suicide is that there could be undue pressure on sick people to end it all, placed upon them from relatives. I would hope that doctors would be able to draw a fair conclusion as to whether the person is doing it for themselves or others.

 

[Kellfire]

I am totally in favour of euthanasia being legalised for those who are found to be mentally sound. There's no moral reason not to allow it. I know that I would avail of the services of a country where it is legal if I could do, if the situation demanded it.