Medics say not only religious minority oppose euthanasia
-9/12/04
The General Secretary
Medics say not only religious minority oppose euthanasia
-9/12/04
The General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association’s head of science and ethics have questioned the assumption that only ‘a small religious minority’ oppose euthanasia.
In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, Dr Beverly Malone and Dr Vivienne Nathanson stated that legalising assisted dying “threatens the nurse/doctor and patient relationship, could frighten vulnerable people and normalise the concept that some lives are not worth living.”
Their letter referred to a leader article in the newspaper a few days before which referred to a bill initiated by Lord Joffe, which critics have said would introduce euthanasia.
“A small religious minority is opposed” said the leader article. “They have the right to believe in the sanctity of life, but no right to impose that view on others. The bill has now been debated in two parliamentary sessions. If Lord Joffe does not succeed in the current one he should press on, and hope for third time lucky.”
Writing in response however, Dr Beverly Malone and Dr Vivienne Nathanson challenged the claim.
“Many nurses and doctors are opposed to any legislation that implicitly seems to devalue life.” they said.
“In evidence to the House of Lords committee, the RCN and BMA made clear we were opposed to legislative change which threatens the nurse/doctor and patient relationship, could frighten vulnerable people and normalise the concept that some lives are not worth living. All these run counter to the principles of nursing and medicine.”
“We know that some of the most distressing situations arise from individuals’ anxiety about maintaining their dignity at the end of life, combined with concern about the availability of effective palliative care. The RCN and BMA believe that with proper pain control, good communication and psychological support, far fewer people would consider asking for clinical help to die. We are anxious to prevent the most vulnerable from offering to die to avoid being a burden to their families. Healthcare is about valuing life and ensuring patients are appropriately cared for.”
Medics say not only religious minority oppose euthanasia
-9/12/04
The General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association’s head of science and ethics have questioned the assumption that only ‘a small religious minority’ oppose euthanasia.
In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, Dr Beverly Malone and Dr Vivienne Nathanson stated that legalising assisted dying “threatens the nurse/doctor and patient relationship, could frighten vulnerable people and normalise the concept that some lives are not worth living.”
Their letter referred to a leader article in the newspaper a few days before which referred to a bill initiated by Lord Joffe, which critics have said would introduce euthanasia.
“A small religious minority is opposed” said the leader article. “They have the right to believe in the sanctity of life, but no right to impose that view on others. The bill has now been debated in two parliamentary sessions. If Lord Joffe does not succeed in the current one he should press on, and hope for third time lucky.”
Writing in response however, Dr Beverly Malone and Dr Vivienne Nathanson challenged the claim.
“Many nurses and doctors are opposed to any legislation that implicitly seems to devalue life.” they said.
“In evidence to the House of Lords committee, the RCN and BMA made clear we were opposed to legislative change which threatens the nurse/doctor and patient relationship, could frighten vulnerable people and normalise the concept that some lives are not worth living. All these run counter to the principles of nursing and medicine.”
“We know that some of the most distressing situations arise from individuals’ anxiety about maintaining their dignity at the end of life, combined with concern about the availability of effective palliative care. The RCN and BMA believe that with proper pain control, good communication and psychological support, far fewer people would consider asking for clinical help to die. We are anxious to prevent the most vulnerable from offering to die to avoid being a burden to their families. Healthcare is about valuing life and ensuring patients are appropriately cared for.”