Care Not Killing E-newsletter, October 2009

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Publishes Draft Guidelines

On July 30th 2009, the Law Lords decided that the DPP would be required to provide information about how he decides whether to prosecute, in cases of assisted suicide. On Wednesday 23rd September, the DPP published his draft guidelines.

CNK has published an initial reaction to the draft guidelines and will, after careful study, submit a formal response to the guidelines for consultation. It is crucial that the DPP's final guidelines, which are expected to be published in Spring 2010, pass key tests. CNK's Question and Answer on the DPP's guidelines help to clarify where things currently stand.

Liverpool Care Pathway(LCP)

There has been some recent controversy in the media surrounding the LCP, which is designed to be used for patients who are imminently dying (within hours or days). In light of this, CNK's statement on the LCP is now available. The national audit has confirmed that the use of the LCP is resulting in high quality care for those who are in the very last hours and days of life.

The latest draft version of the Liverpool Care Pathway Version 12 is now available, for review and comment. The final version will be launched at the LCP Conference 25th November 2009.

Royal College of Nursing Ruling

On 24th July 2009, the Royal College of Nursing(RCN) made a shift to their position of opposing assisted suicide to being neutral on the subject, resulting in much criticism. The NMC have produced a commentary on the RCN's decision.

Private Member's Bills

Members of Parliament will soon have the opportunity to put forward Private Member's Bills. On July 31st, Labour MP for Walsall North, David Winnick, warned that, if he 'drew a high slot in the ballot for a Private Member's Bill, he would suggest a measure to allow assisted dying in Britain.' It is possible that members such as Mr Winnick will use this opportunity to bring a Bill similar to Lord Joffe's 2006 Bill.

Media Centre

Keep up-to-date with CNK Media appearances.

Petition

If you have not already done so, please sign the petition listed on The official site of the Prime Minister's Office, which states that, 'we the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to retain the law that makes it a criminal offence to assist another person to commit suicide,'

Would you like a CNK representative to speak at your church, school, college or university?

Contact our offices: info@carenotkilling.org.uk

Personal Stories

As the risks of any weakening in the law in relation to Assisted Suicide become increasingly highlighted, a growing number of you are writing to Care Not Killing with your own experience of why you feel the law is best kept as it is. Alison Davis writes,

'If euthanasia had been legal then, I would have requested it with no hesitation at all,...no one would ever have known that the future held such good times and that the doctors were wrong in thinking I didn't have long to live.'

Visit our Personal Stories page and send us your own story to info@carenotkilling.org.uk

Stay informed
-Check the CNK website for regular updates

Support
-Keep writing your comments online in response to articles in the media.
-Engage in discussions and write letters to newspapers and politicians with your views. Medical members can write to BMA News and the medical journals and magazines.
-CNK continues to be grateful for every donation

Care Not Killing