Assisted Dying Bill: a shameful day for the UK

Dr Ray Towey and campaigners Image ICN/JS

Hundreds of anti-assisted suicide campaigners held a vigil in the Old Palace Yard outside parliament from 8 in the morning on Friday as MPs debated Kim Leadbeater's Assisted Dying Bill. Among them were many doctors, nurses and people with various illnesses and disabilities.

Physician Dr Ray Towey told ICN: " I've been a doctor for 50 years. I can't believe it's come to this. On the one hand people are selling second hand clothes and holding raffles to fund hospices. Then the government comes forward with a proposal to simply kill very frail or sick patients. The Hypocratic Oath, which was drawn up 400 years before the birth of Christ, formulated an ethical structure for doctors never to harm patients. This has underpinned our work for more 2,400 years. This bill just throws that out!

Wheelchair-bound Andy Greene from Islington, who was born without legs and an arm said: "I'm so disappointed that our government could introduce this bill. In the past few decades there has been some small improvements in the way people with disabilities are treated - especially in employment, communications and transport. Now - in one fell swoop they have thrown that out. Many of us really scared."

Geriatric nurse Annie Maguire who came from Liverpool to attend the vigil said: "In many cultures, one's ancestors and the elderly are treated with more and more respect and care as they get older. They have so much to teach us. They are treasures. When they die, we lose so much. It's tragic that this government can't see that. Its obvious. We're an aging population. they're just looking to save money on people's care."

Mother of four, Kathleen, 53 from Brentwood, who is living with MS, said: "At the present time I'm managing, but I know this is a progressive condition. It's already been very difficult to get physiotherapy and other support. If it wasn't for my church and friends helping I would hardly leave the house. I'm worried that services are going to be cut back more."

There were cries of shame in the crowd outside parliament as it was announced that the bill had passed. It received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes - a majority of 55. (Near the Cromwell Road entrance, campaigners for Assisted Dying, many sporting pink hats and tee shirts, cheered at the news.)

The bill now moves to be scrutinised at committee stage by a smaller group of MPs. Reporting Stage then follows, allowing MPs to make amendments. The Commons Speaker will then decide which ones are debated and voted on. MPs will then have another chance to vote - after which the bill will sent to the House of Lords.

If the bill does become law, as MP Diane Abbot pointed out: "The NHS will have a fully funded - 100% - suicide service, but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best."

Andy Greene said: "This is a shameful day for the UK. A stain on the MPs who just voted for further persecution of chronically ill and disabled people.

LINKS

For more information see Care Not Killing: www.carenotkilling.org.uk/

If you would like to talk with someone about issues raised in this article, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day. Call free on 116 123 or visit: www.samaritans.org