Menu
21/10/2004
Patients have asked me to help them die, say one in three doctors
The enormous strain doctors are placed under at work has been revealed by a new survey which found one in three professionals have been asked by a patient for help to die.
The Medix UK survey of 1,000 doctors, carried on behalf of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES), also showed that doctors were nearly three to one in favour of regulation with safeguards for medically assisted dying than they are in favour of its continued criminalisation (56% against 21%).
The survey also found that 45% of doctors believe their colleagues are risking life imprisonment by helping terminally ill patients to die.
Deborah Annetts, VES Chief Executive, said: “Doctors are faced with the awful choice of either respecting the wishes of their terminally ill patients and helping them to die in the full knowledge that they could be prosecuted and face imprisonment, or abandoning their patient to yet more suffering at the end of life.
“It is time that we were open and honest about the need for the option of medically assisted dying at the end of life within proper safeguards. Only in this way will patients and doctors no longer be victims of this outdated and inhumane law.”
Commenting on the survey, Chairman of the BMA's Ethics Committee, Dr Michael Wilks, reiterated the association's opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide "because this is the view of the majority of its members".
He added: "VES' own survey results also demonstrate that doctors are opposed to euthanasia. When respondents were asked under what circumstances they thought the law should permit voluntary euthanasia, 53% answered 'under no circumstances' – a clear majority.
"Physician-assisted suicide has been debated many times at the BMA's annual meetings and on every occasion the membership has decided against calling for a change in the law.
"Far from being in a 'muddle' the BMA is confident that it is projecting the majority viewpoint of doctors."
(gmcg/mb)
The Medix UK survey of 1,000 doctors, carried on behalf of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES), also showed that doctors were nearly three to one in favour of regulation with safeguards for medically assisted dying than they are in favour of its continued criminalisation (56% against 21%).
The survey also found that 45% of doctors believe their colleagues are risking life imprisonment by helping terminally ill patients to die.
Deborah Annetts, VES Chief Executive, said: “Doctors are faced with the awful choice of either respecting the wishes of their terminally ill patients and helping them to die in the full knowledge that they could be prosecuted and face imprisonment, or abandoning their patient to yet more suffering at the end of life.
“It is time that we were open and honest about the need for the option of medically assisted dying at the end of life within proper safeguards. Only in this way will patients and doctors no longer be victims of this outdated and inhumane law.”
Commenting on the survey, Chairman of the BMA's Ethics Committee, Dr Michael Wilks, reiterated the association's opposition to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide "because this is the view of the majority of its members".
He added: "VES' own survey results also demonstrate that doctors are opposed to euthanasia. When respondents were asked under what circumstances they thought the law should permit voluntary euthanasia, 53% answered 'under no circumstances' – a clear majority.
"Physician-assisted suicide has been debated many times at the BMA's annual meetings and on every occasion the membership has decided against calling for a change in the law.
"Far from being in a 'muddle' the BMA is confident that it is projecting the majority viewpoint of doctors."
(gmcg/mb)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 September 2003
Genetic testing could assist in cancer treatment, report claims
Testing tumours for the breast cancer gene BRCA1 could be a powerful way of predicting how patients will respond to chemotherapy, scientists from Breast Cancer Campaign and Cancer Research UK have said. Researchers have found that tumour cells react differently to chemotherapy depending on how well BRCA1 is working within them.
Genetic testing could assist in cancer treatment, report claims
Testing tumours for the breast cancer gene BRCA1 could be a powerful way of predicting how patients will respond to chemotherapy, scientists from Breast Cancer Campaign and Cancer Research UK have said. Researchers have found that tumour cells react differently to chemotherapy depending on how well BRCA1 is working within them.
16 June 2003
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
More assistance needed for refugee doctors says BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called for refugee doctors to be given more assistance to pass exams necessary for registration in UK. There are currently 865 refugee doctors on voluntary databases who want to work for the NHS, according to the BMA, and many are subsisting on state benefits of £37 per week.
08 March 2011
Doctors Fear Reporting Colleagues
Almost one in five UK doctors has had direct experience of an incompetent or poorly performing colleague in the past three years, finds a survey of professional values, published online in British Medical Journal (BMJ) Quality and Safety.
Doctors Fear Reporting Colleagues
Almost one in five UK doctors has had direct experience of an incompetent or poorly performing colleague in the past three years, finds a survey of professional values, published online in British Medical Journal (BMJ) Quality and Safety.
03 June 2004
Lack of funding and staff are frustrating health initiatives: BMA
Doctors across the UK are leading innovative approaches to patient care but are blocked from developing their projects further by lack of funding and staff, according to a new publication launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) today.
Lack of funding and staff are frustrating health initiatives: BMA
Doctors across the UK are leading innovative approaches to patient care but are blocked from developing their projects further by lack of funding and staff, according to a new publication launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) today.
29 July 2004
GPs gain £108m 'improved pot' for surgery refurbishments
GPs across England will share a new £108 million 'improvement pot' to help refurbish and develop their surgeries, the government has announced today. The cash boost is in addition to the £1.19 billion already being invested in primary care premises over the next two years.
GPs gain £108m 'improved pot' for surgery refurbishments
GPs across England will share a new £108 million 'improvement pot' to help refurbish and develop their surgeries, the government has announced today. The cash boost is in addition to the £1.19 billion already being invested in primary care premises over the next two years.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
