Living with assisted dying
Nuns opposed to the assisted dying bill at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster.
Michael Melia / Alamy
On 20 June, MPs voted by a majority of 23 for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. Julian C. Hughes, specialist in the care of older patients argues, that if the provision of assisted suicide becomes a therapeutic option, it will tarnish the relationship between doctor and patient forever
For me, the vote by MPs in favour of assisted suicide will always be a source of great sorrow. Something quite profound has changed. Aristotle argued that the end of the medical art is health. The same thought is contained in the founding of the NHS. But it’s no longer true. If this bill becomes law, doctors will be able to take deliberate aim at the death of their patients. There will be consequences for all of us: for patients, for health care professionals and for society.
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