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Plans to allow relatives of terminally-ill patients to go with them to suicide clinics without fear of prosecution were narrowly rejected by doctors today.
Members of the British Medical Association voted down the proposal to give loved ones immunity — but only by 53 per cent to 45 per cent. Two per cent abstained.
In another vote at the BMA's conference, doctors rejected a proposal to allow terminally ill patients to die by assisted suicide in Britain. More than 100 patients have travelled abroad to die in suicide clinics and none of their relatives have been prosecuted so far.
Dr Jackie Davis, who spoke in support of the motion, said: “At the heart of this question is respect for patient autonomy. The right of a patient to choose even when we don't agree with their choice.”
Dr Kailash Chand, a GP from Greater Manchester, who proposed the BMA motion, said: “There is tremendous support for the idea that those accompanying patients should not be criminalised. But the notion of allowing patients to die in Britain is more controversial. I believe this should only be done in extreme cases where you cannot save the patient's life.”
Dr Kevin O'Kane, chair of the BMA's London Regional Council, said: “It is not necessary to change the law to protect people who travel abroad with terminally ill patients, because no one has been prosecuted up until now.”
MS sufferer Debbie Purdy is campaigning for the law to be clarified to make sure her husband is not prosecuted.
Reader views (2)
What were the percentages on the second vote (less or more narrow than the 8% margin of the first)? That should be noted for comparison. Thanks.
- Kirk Allison, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, 07/07/2009 05:27
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Here was I thinking this was a matter of law, since when has the BMA made laws?
- Fiery, Ealing, 01/07/2009 12:27
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