The upcoming Paralympics should serve to remind us that disability need not define anyone with dreams and the strength of purpose to achieve them. We should never, in considering someone, stop at illness or infirmity but look beyond these to see how we can support others not just to exist but to live fully. This was shown in the reaction to the film 'Me Before You', which made people with and without disabilities baulk at the message that disabled lives are not worth living, and while you might think this year has been quieter regarding assisted suicide and euthanasia than last year - especially in view of all-consuming political and sporting drama - there has been plenty to keep us busy.


The BMA

At their Annual Representative Meeting in Belfast, doctors were pressed to throw off their collective opposition to physician-assisted suicide. Having heard impressive speakers remind them of why the BMA's stance exists, and mindful of the thousands of you who signalled the importance of the stance in your own lives, those present - who in their working lives regularly bear witness to the struggles faced towards the end of life - rejected a move to neutrality by a margin of almost 2-1.


Ongoing moves

Following last year's Parliamentary defeats for assisted suicide legislation in Westminster and Holyrood, campaigners continue to push their agenda. Last month, the perennial Lord Falconer told the House of Lords that a Royal Commission on 'assisted dying' was needed - almost two years to the day after he told the same chamber that the time for Royal Commissions was over. Just last week, Care Not Killing's Campaign Director debunked (in The Telegraph) claims that assisted suicide has the backing of disabled people.

Quieter but more serious are the parallel threats of new attempts to subvert the law by way of the courts in England and Wales, and a follow-up to the failed Harvie Bill which was rejected by the Scottish Parliament replaced in May. These threats must also be seen in the context of developments abroad: California and Canada have both now passed legislation (for, respectively, assisted suicide and euthanasia) which are now in effect, while in Europe, we hear reports that a nursing home in Belgium has been fined 6,700 euros for refusing to euthanise a resident in its care; please encourage your MP to sign the Early Day Motion on conscience rights for doctors.


Maybe you missed...

  • The death of campaigner (and consultant geriatrician) Dr Kate Granger from cancer, at the age of just 34. Dr Granger spoke very honestly about her illness, and leaves a legacy of improved doctor-patient communication, in the form of her #HelloMyNameIs initiative
  • Care Not Killing waved goodbye to Drs Brian Iddon and Andrew Fergusson, who have retired from our Board after long and dedicated service, while welcoming Dr Colin Harte as an experienced and passionate new director.
  • Palliative care physician Dr Drew Rosielle wrote convincingly about the problem with euphemisms like 'assisted dying'.


Take a look

  • Actress, comedienne and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr next month brings 'Assisted Suicide: the Musical'to the Southbank in London
  • 'Shadows of Bright', the novel by hospice director Dr Jeff Stephenson which we previewed on the CNK website and which imagines a future in which legalised assisted suicide becomes part of hospice care, is available to buy


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