A woman whose husband ended his life at Dignitas has penned a letter to the House of Lords urging them to show compassion. Louise Shackleton, 58, from North Yorkshire, will join other grieving families outside the Lords during the significant Second Reading of the Assisted Dying Bill. She emphasized the importance of granting individuals the choice to end their suffering on their terms.
The proposed legislation to permit assisted dying in specific cases in England and Wales has passed initial stages in the House of Commons and now faces the same process in the House of Lords. MPs will have the opportunity to review any suggested amendments before the bill can become law, subject to potential opposition from peers.
Louise, currently under police investigation for accompanying her husband Anthony, 59, to Dignitas, shared their heartbreaking story. Anthony, who battled motor neurone disease, opted for assisted death in Switzerland last December. Despite the emotional turmoil, Louise has since advocated for the Assisted Dying Bill, emphasizing the need for individuals to have the right to a dignified end.
In an emotional plea to the House of Lords, Louise recounted Anthony’s suffering and his decision to seek a peaceful exit at Dignitas. She highlighted the limitations of the current law, which forces individuals to travel abroad for assisted death, often prematurely. She stressed the importance of granting everyone the choice to end their suffering with dignity, regardless of financial means or physical ability to travel.
Dignity in Dying, a campaign group supporting the Assisted Dying Bill, emphasized the significance of the upcoming Second Reading in the House of Lords. They highlighted the need for compassion, dignity, and choice in end-of-life decisions, echoing the sentiments of many families affected by terminal illnesses.
Opposing the bill, Care Not Killing’s chief executive, Dr. Gordon Macdonald, called for increased funding for palliative care to ensure peaceful and dignified deaths for individuals facing terminal illnesses. He highlighted the current gaps in palliative care provision in the UK and emphasized the importance of comprehensive support for those nearing the end of life.
