This brief review updates you about recent developments. The links will take you to more detailed information both on the Care Not Killing Alliance website and on the internet.

Coroners' and Justice Bill
This Coroners' and Justice Bill has now cleared the House of Commons and all attempts to amend it to allow assisted suicide, including a high profile bid by former health secretary Patricia Hewitt, have so far failed. The Bill has its second reading (debate stage) in the House of Lords on Monday 27 April and thereafter passes to committee where we expect further attempts will be made to hijack it by the pro-euthanasia lobby. CNK Chairman Brian Iddon MP has put down an EDM on the Bill which has so far been signed by 84 MPs. This welcomes the Bill's provision to make it illegal to assist or encourage suicide on the internet and calls on the House of Commons to reaffirm its support for a law which protects vulnerable people from abuse.

Moves to legalise assisted dying in Scotland
In our last newsletter we informed readers about Margo MacDonald MSP's public Consultation Document on her proposals for an 'End-of-Life Choices (Scotland) Bill'. CNK's full response has now been sent to Margo MacDonald and to all MSPs. We are now waiting for Ms MacDonald to publish her bill. She will then require 18 MSPs' signatures in order to progress it further. Whether she will get the required support remains to be seen.

Dignitas and Assisted Suicide
Suicide is 'a marvellous possibility' according to Ludwig Minelli, founder of the Dignitas suicide facility in Switzerland. Care Not Killing has welcomed the BBC's exposure of Dignitas but has warned against a false conclusion. Read more.

Debbie Purdy to appeal to House of Lords
Debbie Purdy, who has multiple sclerosis, has been given leave to appeal to the House of Lords in her bid to ensure her husband will not be prosecuted if he helps her in an assisted suicide. Her previous appeal to the Court of Appeal was turned down. Care Not Killing welcomed the decision not to require the Director of Public Prosecutions to provide information about how decisions to prosecute for assisted suicide are made.

Care in the Community
Much of our emphasis at Care Not Killing is on the care that terminally or otherwise seriously ill people need. A recent BBC Panorama programme has highlighted some shocking instances of poor-quality care. We believe that better care, rather than legalising assistance with suicide or the giving of lethal injections, is the proper and civilised way to deal with chronic or end-of-life illness. Read more.

Spiritual care
Spiritual needs are the needs and expectations that human beings have to find meaning and purpose in life. In a passionate article in the Times Melanie Reid has argued that 'Hospitals have never needed God more'. She also questions the National Secular Society's suggestion that the margin of NHS funds spent on hospital chaplains would be better spent elsewhere. Read CNK's review.

What it means to be old
A thought-provoking article by AA Gill in the Sunday Times entitled 'Old Age: State Care Homes are the Final Resort', has painted a picture of growing old in modern Britain. CNK argues that anyone who is able to read the article without feeling some sense of guilt is either a rare saint or just hasn't grasped what it is saying.

CNK Director runs London marathon
CNK Director Dr Peter Saunders is running the London marathon on 26 April to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society, the leading UK care and research charity for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, their families and carers. Peter's father is terminally ill with dementia. If you would like to sponsor him please visit his justgiving website or send a cheque made out to the Alzheimer's Society to CNK, PO Box 56322, London SE1 8XW.


Many thanks for your ongoing support
Care Not Killing Alliance