Good palliative care best for terminally ill

Lib Dem MSP Liam Mcarthur is bringing a new and unwarranted Bill to allow doctors to help terminally ill adults to kill themselves. This is the third time in a few years that a costly private member's Bill with public consultation has taken place and this one is not needed. was not helpful for the BMA to change its view to neutrality as supporters of the Bill will claim bias, but actually it demonstrates what an emotive and divisive stance it is as there is no unity. The doctors are at risk of losing trust and credibility. As the Hippocratic Oath says, “First, we do the patient no harm”.

To suggest, as the supporters of the Bill have, that compassion is only on their side is insulting to me and many others who have dedicated their lives to caring for the terminally ill over the years, both personally and professionally. Now retired, I can reflect on my 50 years of experience as a nurse, midwife, health visitor and counsellor and have many reasons for opposing this Bill, not least because I know that coercion in families can be well hidden.

My main reason for opposing this Bill is that it is unnecessary. I have seen what a differencegoodqualitypalliative care can do to alleviate pain, fear and distress. We must focus on providing training, funding, and political will to provide the best possible care, to make this Bill redundant.

As the lobbying groups such as Dignity in Dying and the anti-christian groups are pressing their views in the media, I hope a balanced view from organisations such as Care for Scotland, palliative care doctors and Marie Curie will be noted, and I urge those ordinary citizens who care enough to protest to let their MSPS know and take part in the Public Consultation on the proposed Bill, “Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill”, of which details can be found online.

PAMALA MCDOUGALL

Inverkeilor, Angus