A man whose father, brother, and sister died "in dreadful circumstances" has urged UK MPs to advance the process of legalizing assisted dying during discussions related to the current Assisted Dying Bill. Pat Malone made his emotional plea after Conservative MP Danny Kruger, opposing the bill, expressed his sympathies and lamented his position against the proposal. Mr. Malone, who witnessed his father suffer from pancreatic cancer, recalled his father's desperate request for help to end his suffering, which he could not fulfill.
Malone's brother also battled pancreatic cancer and died by suicide. His sister, who had motor neurone disease, traveled to Dignitas, Switzerland for assisted death. Malone remarked, “in all three cases, it (a law in the UK) would have improved their lives and their deaths.” He emphasized the tragic nature of their final days, noting complications following his brother’s death and his sister's choice to die far from home, away from her family and familiar surroundings.
Offering his condolences, MP Kruger stated, “May I say how greatly I sympathize with what you’ve been through... I really can’t image how it feels.” Malone, responding to Kruger’s sympathy, conveyed frustration over the limitations they impose on the discussion and decision to legalize assisted dying. He expressed concern for those who are unable to advocate for themselves, saying, “sympathy only goes so far.”
The Assisted Dying Bill aims to allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to have the option of ending their lives legally, pending approval from two doctors and the High Court. Although Malone acknowledged his sister wouldn’t qualify under this bill, he refrained from proposing alterations, citing the need to keep the legislative process moving forward without additional delays. He articulated the urgency of this legislation, admitting he would like to simplify the process and remove additional stipulations, emphasizing the need for legal change. “You’ve moved mountains to get to this point,” he stated. “The last thing I’d want to do is pile more requirements on this Bill.”
Another supporter, Liz Reed, whose brother received assisted death in Australia, noted the preciousness of their final moments together, praising the excellent hospice care he received. Though their initial thought was to bring him back to the UK during his illness, she now reflects on the potential suffering he might have endured had he returned home. She fondly recounted, “We weren’t sitting around there thinking, ‘I wish I’d said this.’ We were all there... what a gift.”
While advocates for assisted dying like Malone and Reed share compelling narratives, challenges also arise from various organizations concerned with patient care and rights. Mencap, a charity focusing on those with learning disabilities, expressed significant apprehension about how assisted dying discussions might affect vulnerable individuals. Dan Scorer, the charity's head of policy, warned about the risks tied to initial conversations about assisted dying, claiming there could be great pressure on those with terminal illnesses. Scorer emphasized the need for careful and supportive dialogue, stating, “How the initial conversation is initiated... is potentially an extremely risky and dangerous moment.”
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also shared their concerns, citing overstretched resources related to mental health services and discussing how adding more capacity assessments could strain existing systems. Their written evidence revealed division among members on whether psychiatrists should always be involved in assessments of someone seeking assisted death or only when specific mental health factors arise.
Over the past few days, MPs involved with the committee reviewing the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill have called upon around 50 witnesses to provide insight as they prepare for detailed review of the proposed legislation next month. Although the bill passed its second reading following extensive debate before Christmas, some supporters expressed hesitation about continued backing if they don't find adequate safeguards against coercion.
Future debates and votes on the bill will take place within both the House of Commons and House of Lords, indicating challenges remaining before any law changes would be enacted. Current estimations suggest it could still take until late this year or even two additional years before assisted dying services might be implemented.