Dignity in Dying: Bill would reduce violent suicides

Campaign group Dignity in Dying insists the assisted dying bill being debated in the Lords today would reduce violent suicides.

It says new evidence from the US shows that similar laws in the state of Oregon have extended the lives of the vulnerable.

Chief executive Deborah Annetts said: "This evidence suggests that for many terminally ill people, assisted dying legislation acts as an insurance policy. Just knowing that the option of a safe, legal peaceful death is there… is enough to prolong life."

A YouGov poll commissioned by the group showed that 76 per cent of the public agreed with the bill's proposals. Ms Annetts insisted the public are "massively turned off" by religious leaders' opposition to the bill.

She pointed out this was the first time the subject had been debated in the context of “excellent palliative care", adding: "Even with the high quality of our palliative care some people will still want this option.”