Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation
In September 2009, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), issued Interim Guidelines to clarify the circumstances in which someone who assists a suicide would be prosecuted, in response to a legal challenge by campaigner for assisted suicide Debbie Purdy. The Interim Guidelines listed a series of factors which would to determine whether or not a prosecution would be in the public interest. One factor that would mitigate against a prosecution was if “the victim had a terminal illness or a severe and incurable physical disability or a severe degenerative physical condition from which there was no possibility of recovery.” This short article highlights the major features within the guidelines, which ultimately leave open the possibility of prosecutors showing compassion and not prosecuting.
In September 2009, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), issued Interim Guidelines to clarify the circumstances in which someone who assists a suicide would be prosecuted, in response to a legal challenge by campaigner for assisted suicide Debbie Purdy. The Interim Guidelines listed a series of factors which would to determine whether or not a prosecution would be in the public interest. One factor that would mitigate against a prosecution was if “the victim had a terminal illness or a severe and incurable physical disability or a severe degenerative physical condition from which there was no possibility of recovery.” This short article highlights the major features within the guidelines, which ultimately leave open the possibility of prosecutors showing compassion and not prosecuting.
Assisted Dying explores the law relating to euthanasia and assisted suicide, tracing its development from prohibition through to the laissez faire attitude adopted in a number of countries in the 21st Century. This book provides an in-depth critique of the arguments surrounding legislative control of such practices and particularly looks into the regulatory role of the state. In the classical
Assisted Dying explores the law relating to euthanasia and assisted suicide, tracing its development from prohibition through to the laissez faire attitude adopted in a number of countries in the 21st Century. This book provides an in-depth critique of the arguments surrounding legislative control of such practices and particularly looks into the regulatory role of the state. In the classical tradition of libertarianism, the state is generally presumed to have a remit to intervene where an individual's actions threaten another, rather than harm the individuals themselves. This arguably leaving a question mark over the state's determined intervention, in the UK and elsewhere, into the private and highly personal choices of individual to die rather than live. The perceived role of the state in safeguarding the moral values of the community and the need for third party involvement in assisted suicide and euthanasia could be thought to raise these practices to a different level. These considerations may be in direct conflict with the so called right to die espoused by some individuals and groups within the community. However this book will argue that the state's interests are and should be second to the interests that the people themselves have in choosing their own death.
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) recently became legal in Canada, and social workers have an integral role providing psychosocial care to those considering this end-of-life care option. Research has found that most requests for assisted dying have a psychosocial dimension. Social workers are uniquely equipped to understand the personal and contextual factors informing the choice for MAiD
(Edited publisher abstract)
Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) recently became legal in Canada, and social workers have an integral role providing psychosocial care to those considering this end-of-life care option. Research has found that most requests for assisted dying have a psychosocial dimension. Social workers are uniquely equipped to understand the personal and contextual factors informing the choice for MAiD and offer supports. A case example highlights practice opportunities for social workers throughout the MAiD process.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
case studies, social work, suicide, end of life care, terminal illness, dying, assisted dying, social workers;
The Commission on Assisted Dying was set up in September 2010 to consider whether the current legal and policy approach to assisted dying in England and Wales is fit for purpose. The Commission’s terms of reference were to: investigate the circumstances under which it should be possible for people to be assisted to die; recommend what system, if any, should exist to allow people to be assisted to die; identify who should be entitled to be assisted to die; and determine what safeguards should be put in place to ensure that vulnerable people are neither abused nor pressured to choose an assisted death. A wide-ranging inquiry was conducted into the subject, including: a public call for evidence; public evidence meetings; international research visits to jurisdictions in which assisted dying is legally permitted; and a review of existing and commissioned research. The conclusions of the Commission are that there is a strong case for providing the choice of assisted dying for terminally ill people. The report discusses the case for change, and the need to provide adequate end of life care and to protect terminally ill people from the risk of abuse or indirect social pressure to end their lives. Key elements that should underpin a safeguarded framework for assisted dying, including eligibility criteria and safeguards, are discussed.
The Commission on Assisted Dying was set up in September 2010 to consider whether the current legal and policy approach to assisted dying in England and Wales is fit for purpose. The Commission’s terms of reference were to: investigate the circumstances under which it should be possible for people to be assisted to die; recommend what system, if any, should exist to allow people to be assisted to die; identify who should be entitled to be assisted to die; and determine what safeguards should be put in place to ensure that vulnerable people are neither abused nor pressured to choose an assisted death. A wide-ranging inquiry was conducted into the subject, including: a public call for evidence; public evidence meetings; international research visits to jurisdictions in which assisted dying is legally permitted; and a review of existing and commissioned research. The conclusions of the Commission are that there is a strong case for providing the choice of assisted dying for terminally ill people. The report discusses the case for change, and the need to provide adequate end of life care and to protect terminally ill people from the risk of abuse or indirect social pressure to end their lives. Key elements that should underpin a safeguarded framework for assisted dying, including eligibility criteria and safeguards, are discussed.
Subject terms:
law, terminal illness, safeguarding adults, assisted dying, dying, end of life care, euthanasia, government policy;
Social Work in Health Care, 35(3), October 2002, pp.53-64.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This article presents data from a study that explored the impact of the legal choice of physician assisted suicide (PAS) on hospice providers. Eight social workers shared their personal and professional voices about a very controversial and difficult issue. Oregon is the only place in the United States where PAS is legal and these social workers practice in an environment where the choice of PAS has been an option for two years. Three overarching themes emerged from the data: the dilemmas that arise form the hospice philosophy; the conflicts and practice principles; and the struggles with personal values and PAS.
This article presents data from a study that explored the impact of the legal choice of physician assisted suicide (PAS) on hospice providers. Eight social workers shared their personal and professional voices about a very controversial and difficult issue. Oregon is the only place in the United States where PAS is legal and these social workers practice in an environment where the choice of PAS has been an option for two years. Three overarching themes emerged from the data: the dilemmas that arise form the hospice philosophy; the conflicts and practice principles; and the struggles with personal values and PAS.
Subject terms:
hospices, hospital social workers, rights, therapies, therapy and treatment, assisted dying, death, decision making, dying, families, ethics, health professionals;
... to analyse the interview transcripts and identify the major domains defining a 'good' versus a 'bad' death. The domains identified include: symptoms, quality of life, people present, dying process, location, a sense of resolution, patient control of treatment, issues of spirituality, death scene, physician-assisted suicide, aspects of medical care, and acceptance of death. Within these, sub-categories were
The objective of this article is to identify and describe the domains that define a 'good' versus 'bad' death from the perspective of patients with advanced AIDS. The authors analysed qualitative data from face-to-face interviews with 35 patients with AIDS. An experienced research interviewer asked the patients to describe a good and bad death. Investigators used the principles of grounded theory to analyse the interview transcripts and identify the major domains defining a 'good' versus a 'bad' death. The domains identified include: symptoms, quality of life, people present, dying process, location, a sense of resolution, patient control of treatment, issues of spirituality, death scene, physician-assisted suicide, aspects of medical care, and acceptance of death. Within these, sub-categories were identified representing specific aspects of the domains that shape a 'good' versus 'bad' death for the patients.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, interpersonal relationships, medical treatment, patients, quality of life, treatment, therapy and treatment, user participation, assisted dying, counselling, death, dying;