Charities sound alarm over assisted dying

A PROPOSED bill on assisted dying poses a “major threat” to disabled people, a number of campaign groups have said in a letter to MSPs.

Scottish LibDem MSP Liam McArthur proposed the legislation – the third time such a bill has gone before MSPs – which would allow those with an advanced terminal illnesses to make the decision to end their lives.

The bill would allow such a decision to be made if the patient had the mental capacity required, made the request voluntarily and it was approved by two doctors.

A mandatory 14- day reflection period will also be required, if the legislation is passed.

But in a letter to MSPs, a number of disability groups urged them to vote against the bill, claiming there could be a “slippery slope”.

“We acknowledge the sincere motives that Mr Liam McArthur MSP, the bill’s sponsor, and his supporters bring to his proposed legislation,” the letter said.

“We also acknowledge that the arguments brought forward by the bill’s supporters seem coherent and logical when applied to a small group of very vulnerable individuals.

“What is not acknowledged is that the bill poses a major threat to a much wider population of people, notably those with longterm conditions and disabilities.”

The correspondence was sent from the Better Way Campaign, Disability Equality Scotland, the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, the Glasgow Disability Alliance, Inclusion Scotland, Our Duty of Care, People First and Self- Directed Support Scotland.

The groups argued that it was difficult for doctors to accurately determine how long a person with a terminal illness had left to live and pointed to examples in other countries of the criteria being widened.

“The fear that AD [ assisted dying] as an individual choice will evolve into a societal pressure to make that choice is real and justified,” the letter added.

“Changes in the type of people seeking AD show that over time, there is an increase in AD among those who are less well- off and for whom the cost of living actually means the cost of staying alive.

“The priority for disabled people is to secure the support they need to live independent and full lives like any other citizen.”

McArthur said: “Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life.

“I appreciate that some are concerned about a slippery slope, but my bill is extremely clear about the specific and limited circumstances it will give terminally ill adults the choice they need. This bill contains robust safeguards.”