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Publication of the Commission on Assisted Dying report in January caused a furore when it set out the case for allowing assisted suicide in terminally ill adults. Two nurses disagree over the recommendations
IN FAVOUR
Karen Sanders, senior lecturer in healthcare ethics and law and research, London South Bank University; deputy chair, Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying
I am an active supporter of legalising assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults. My 25 years' experience as a nurse and the available evidence lead me to believe that legalising assisted dying would alleviate suffering and better protect people than the current law. However, I am not 'rigidly' pro-assisted dying. If the evidence showed that assisted dying were dangerous or damaging, I would reconsider my position.
The Commission on Assisted Dying, which published its report in January, was launched in 2010 to examine whether any system should exist to allow people assistance to die and, if so, what it should look like in terms of safeguards and eligibility. The commission found the law on assisted dying was 'incoherent and inadequate'. Its conclusions recommend the introduction of an assisted dying law for terminally ill, mentally competent adults who have made a voluntary, informed decision, and whose decision making is not significantly impaired by mental health issues, such as depression. It recommends this legal change should be accompanied by strict legal safeguards and ongoing investment in end of life care.
Opponents of assisted dying have tried to discredit the commission rather than engage with its conclusions. This does not help anyone. The issues need to be clear. As such, I want to discuss three issues around assisted dying and the commission that are particularly relevant for nurses caring for older people.
First, the role of nurses. I understand that some nurses are fundamentally opposed to assisted dying and I respect their position. Any assisted dying legislation must contain a conscience clause to ensure that nurses would not have to play an active role in any aspect of the assisted dying process if they did not wish to do so.
For nurses who would be willing to participate, our involvement would not be as direct as that of doctors, though it would still be significant. As well as...