Dignity in Dying comment on the British Social Attitudes report 2017
Commenting on the British Social Attitudes survey findings, Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying said:
“Once again the British Social Attitudes survey has found that the overwhelming majority of the public believe people who are dying should have the option of medical help to die. That this support has been consistent for 30 years shows how the law is hopelessly out of step with public attitudes. This disconnect between what dying people want and need, and what the law allows has terrible consequences, with one British person making the difficult journey to Switzerland every 8 days in order to have help to die, and over 300 terminally ill people ending their lives at home in England each year, without medical support or safeguards.
“Clearly we need a change in the law, and in July the courts will have the opportunity to look at this issue in detail when the High Court hears the case of Noel Conway, a terminally ill man with motor neurone disease who is challenging the current law on assisted dying. Noel feels that he is prevented from exercising his right to choice and control over his death under the current law, and fears that without change he may be forced to suffer against his wishes. The case, supported by Dignity in Dying, will be heard by three judges over five days in the week commencing the 17th of July 2017.”
