Assisted dying is a controversial issue that’s been discussed at length for years, but recently the conversation has grown with the possibility of it being legalised in the UK. The Welsh Parliament have discussed the issue and explored what it could mean for people in Wales, but some want to make sure end of life care is prioritised.
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00:00While the discussion about an assisted death is taking place, we know that too
00:06many people in Wales aren't having their full needs met, particularly at
00:11the end of life. And what's really important to say, you know, unashamedly,
00:17is that palliative and end-of-life care services need to be properly invested in.
00:23Marie Curie's position on assisted dying is that we are neutral and it's really
00:28important that we allow policy makers to have this discussion without just
00:33trying to influence them either either way. There was a wide range of opinions
00:38from within the Senate and politicians did not follow any party lines. It was
00:42purely a belief-based vote and members gave some emotive additions. It has been
00:47repeatedly proven that assisted dying laws, when introduced, descend quickly
00:51into a range of problems, from coercion by relatives to the hand-picking of
00:54specific doctors willing to euthanise. And it would, I believe, set a dangerous
00:59precedent and lead to a catalogue of unintended consequences if it was
01:03introduced into the UK. Those people who could be placed under pressure in a
01:08future that is horrifyingly near at hand to end their lives because the necessary
01:13palliative care is not available or because they feel themselves to be a
01:19burden. My fear with this motion, well, my terror really, is not so much with how it
01:26will begin as with how it will end. I believe that I have the right to make
01:32that choice, to make that decision myself, but within the narrow confines and focus
01:39of the legislation itself. The vote ended up not passing with 19 in favour, 26
01:46against and 9 abstentions, but with it being symbolic it wouldn't have changed
01:50much regardless. Now there will be a wait for an official decision from Westminster
01:55when we'll find out what could happen for assisted dying in the near future.