Debate on assisted dying starts in Senedd
An advocate for assisted dying says the debate should've happened a lot sooner.
Last updated 23rd Oct 2024
After the introduction of a proposal to give terminally ill people the right to end their lives was put forward to the UK Government in early October, now the Senedd will get to vote on supporting the motion.
Whilst the vote would be in principle only, the motion would allow people with incurable physical illnesses to have a choice of assisted dying.
Karen Harris, who lives in Carmarthenshire, has two chronic health conditions and supports assisted dying, she says this debate should of happened much sooner.
"There are still areas where we need to force the debate, we need to engage. Instead of pretending it just doesn't exist.
"As a society we are letting ourselves get behind other countries."
"The challenge is there's a lot of stuff online and it's not necessarily available to everybody. It would be good if there were more pop-up events on a local level."
"You could talk to your GP to perhaps start to open up the debate. But it's not something we should be leaving until we get to the situation I'm in."
A debate and initial vote is expected at the end of November in UK Parliament.
It would have to be approved by MPs and peers before it becomes law.
End of life charity Marie Curie, who believes over 100,000 people a year die without access to the right degree of care or support, hope the moment will highlight the need for urgent action to improve palliative care in the UK.
Marie Curie CEO, Matthew Reed explains. He said: “With the Private Members Bill on assisted dying now confirmed, we understand that, as the UK’s leading end of life charity, there will be increased interest in Marie Curie’s position.
"We are calling for a national plan for end of life care - supported by a funding package - that delivers 24/7 access to joined-up, person centred care, addresses the current postcode lottery in end of life care and reduces the reliance on charitable donations."
“The idea of people choosing an assisted death because they are unable to access the care they need at the end of life should be intolerable to all of us."
"MPs must now decide whether it would be right to introduce assisted dying without also having a realistic plan for ensuring that everyone has access to the best possible palliative and social care at the end of life."