Damning NHS report underlines dangers of UK assisted suicide law

A damning report into the state of the NHS shows why legalising assisted suicide would be “disastrous”, CARE has said.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has published findings on the situation in hospitals in a report that’s been called “harrowing”.

It includes accounts of patients sitting for days in chairs, patients filling up hospital corridors, and elderly people unable to get help.

The 450-page report details the experiences of more than 5,000 nursing staff and warns that patients are “routinely coming to harm”.

Professor Nicola Ranger, chief executive of the RCN, said the findings are “harrowing”, and staff are leaving because they “cannot do it anymore”.

Ross Hendry, CEO of Christian social policy charity CARE, commented:

“This alarming report sheds light on chronic pressures in the NHS. It’s easy to see how an assisted suicide law would be dangerous in this context. Extreme pressure on services mean people are receiving sub-standard care or no care at all. This includes people grappling with serious and terminal illnesses.

“When you consider gaps in the provision of palliative care, social care and disability support, it's clear people would feel pressure to end their lives. Britons would feel compelled to die out of desperation, whilst unable to access support. 'Assisted dying' would be disastrous for the most vulnerable in our communities.

“The Westminster and Holyrood Bills don't seek to prevent this outcome - nor could they. 'Safeguards' would not mitigate this pervasive threat. There are many compelling arguments against assisted suicide. The state of the NHS is a major one for UK parliamentarians to consider.”

ENDS

About CARE

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) is a social policy charity, bringing Christian insight to the policies and laws that affect our lives. We welcome inquiries from print, broadcast, and digital media.

Contact us by email: press@care.org.uk