Most social workers support the legalisation of assisted dying, a Community Care poll has found.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which was approved in principle by the House of Commons this week, would enable adults to receive assistance to end their lives.
Social workers back assisted dying
A Community Care poll, which received almost 1,300 votes, found that most respondents (64%) would support the bill, with 36% against.
Maharg, who works at a continuing healthcare service, said older people and cancer patients they have worked with have broached this subject, with four to six people having expressed interest in receiving support to die.
“The guidelines are clear, people have to fulfil the criteria and only they can promote their choice,” they added.
“So I agree with this being an option for those who want it.”
Court delays could hinder process
Stuart said: “We are a society predicated on the principle of autonomous choice, which is enshrined in medical ethics. The law supports these principles.
"To deny someone the choice when death is a greater attraction than life is a denial of these principles."
However, patients would need to seek court approval to be eligible for assisted dying, which might mean that it would not be granted at an appropriate timeframe, said Carol.
Criteria for assisted dying
Under the bill, there are four criteria that must be met before a terminally ill person can be assisted to end their own life. The person must:- have capacity “to make a decision to end their own life” (with capacity to be determined in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005);
- be aged 18 or over;
- be ordinarily resident in England and Wales, and have been ordinarily resident there for at least 12 months, and
- be registered as a patient with a GP practice in England or Wales.
“With judges involved and court delays, I can’t see anybody ever being granted this in an appropriate timeframe to ‘self administer’ anything,” she added.
“I find it fascinating that it is okay for health professionals to administer the four core drugs [morphine, midazolam, haloperidol, and an antimuscarinic] which hasten death when they consider it the ‘right time’, but individuals can’t choose themselves.”
‘We need to first expand palliative care to all’
Laura Morris criticised the bill, however, calling it “utterly irresponsible”.
“As social workers, we must first address the unmet needs of any individual who has a life-limiting condition by expanding palliative care to all,” she said.
“First it starts with the wealthy who can afford this legal process but then what? It’s a slippery slope. Why is there no palliative care for all? This country invented palliative care social work.”
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