DRC: Right to live the first priority

The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) says that improved care for disabled people is a higher priority than issues dealt with in the assisted dying bill being debated in the Lords today.

Chairman Bert Massie said: “What we need to legislate for is the right for disabled people to receive high quality health and social care wherever they live in the country."

The DRC argues that before discussing rights to die, disabled peoples' rights to live must be established, which is why they support Lord Ashley's bill on independent living.

Mr Massie also warned: “In the absence of quality support and given the lack of palliative care services, the bill would put pressure on disabled people with a terminal illness to end their lives prematurely."

Many disabled people worry the proposals would make their lives seem to have lesser value, and consequently put them at greater risk, the commission said.