Latest news with #Dignitas
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Personal experience truly informs the assisted dying debate
I had only one patient who made use of Dignitas in Switzerland, because she could not stand the smell of her skin secondaries. Her decision was all about dignity. With the greatest respect to those who have sincerely-held religious or humanitarian views against the Assisted Dying Bill, if you have not had personal experience of a 'bad' death, you really do not know what you are talking about. John NE Rankin, Bridge of Allan. It should remain an offence Your various letters on assisted dying (May 15) are concerned with those facing a period of painful terminal illness, leading to death, so may wish to skip that journey and go directly to the main event. Many people in that position will be wise enough to have made their own arrangements to leave, and do not require assistance. There are also disabled people, who have found their painless but limited lives to be unenjoyable, so will simply kill themselves, and some do that every year. So across the spectrum, many will have already dealt with their own situations. In Scotland at present, helping someone to die is known as murder – and should remain so, as legalising it will open a route to be used by others for their own benefit. Malcolm Parkin, Kinross. Read more letters • I was quite taken aback by the ability of several letter writers to focus on their own opinions rather than addressing the issue at stake. As in a person's trial, it doesn't matter how many witnesses are involved, merely the outcome for one person. As for the circumstances, these are of as much critical importance as the end result. Were it not so, there would be no difference between murder and manslaughter. George F Campbell, Glasgow. • Just one point on assisted dying: if legalised, police officers and paramedics would at least be spared having to deal with suicides, botched or successful. George Morton, Rosyth. Victimising the exploited Neil Mackay has today excelled in voicing concerns that I hope many still share ('Island of strangers? No, but I'm now a stranger in my own land', The Herald, May 15). I certainly share them. It brings tears to the eyes to think that people from countries that the UK invaded and exploited for years, people fleeing fear and famine plus anyone who dares through no fault of their own to be seen as "different", are now being victimised and blamed for all that is wrong in the UK. Patricia Fort, Glasgow. It's Starmer who is the stranger Three cheers for Neil Mackay. I agree with every word of his article today. My own previously Highland/island family has been greatly enriched by three granddaughters-in-law, French, Chinese and Indian, and a Lithuanian grandson-in-law. They are not strangers but Keir Starmer and his ilk are. Dorothy Dennis, Port Ellen, Islay. Fading hopes of progress I read Neil Mackay's despairing piece in the middle of writing a short article on the fight to repeal Section 28, the law banning the "promotion of homosexuality", which was won 25 years ago. Section 28 demonised lesbians and gay men in much the same way as immigrants and trans people are demonised now. Back in 1999 most of Scottish civic society and all political parties other than the Tories stood firm against prejudice and intolerance and proved that devolution had enabled Scotland to take the lead in promoting tolerance and inclusion. With anti-immigrant and trans-hating Reform on the rise, and the enthusiasm of the Westminster Government for anti-foreigner, anti-poor and gender fundamentalist stupidity, the assumption that Scotland could continue to make progress, however inconsistently, does seem to be dying or dead. Brian Dempsey, Dundee. This road is a danger to cyclists I have recently passed through the revised road layout at Woodlands Road heading to the M8 and I am somewhat concerned that this junction is an accident waiting to happen. From Woodlands Road the road veers slightly to the right towards the city centre then you have to turn to the left almost back on yourself, avoiding the protruding kerb then across a cycle lane which due to the angle you approach the junction at leaves you unsighted for cyclists coming from your left. It is bad enough in a car but it must be worse for commercial vehicles. Yes, I believe there are lights on the cycle lane but those tend to be ignored by a certain faction of cyclists. There has already been one tragic accident in Glasgow involving a cyclist. I would be interested to see what Glasgow City Council's roads department has to say, as well as the cycling community. Douglas Jardine, Bishopbriggs. Keir Starmer (Image: PA) Perpetual notion In response to GR Weir's letter of May 13, Brian D Henderson (Letters, May 15) suggests that the alternative to the royal family is a 'certain Mr President'. There is however one massive difference in the two roles. Like him or loathe him, the President of the USA was voted for by the public. He can only serve a four-year term before re-election and is only allowed to serve two terms. The 'British' royal family however have been elected by no one and are there for perpetuity. David Clark, Tarbolton. Why my brain is buzzing Mike Flinn (Letters, May 15) rightly draws attention to government buzzwords. The deadline looms for hard-working families, many of whom are now second-class citizens, the result of 14 years of Tory austerity, to benefit from fixing the foundations, balancing the books, and stabilising the economy. Help is in the pipeline; it is, after all, the right thing to do. David Miller, Milngavie.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Esther Rantzen's daughter makes final desperate plea - 'Give mum peace of mind'
Dame Esther Rantzen has been at the forefront of the assisted dying debate since revealing her own terminal cancer diagnosis in 2023 Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter has begged MPs to give her dying mother 'peace of mind' as they prepare to vote on the assisted dying bill later today. Rebecca Wilcox, 45, said her 84-year-old mother, who has stage four lung cancer, will be watching and is 'hopeful' the new law will be passed. MPs will debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - spearheaded by Labour's Kim Leadbeater - for the first time since November's yes vote. If it becomes law, it will allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales - with fewer than six months left to live - to apply for an assisted death. In late 2023, Dame Esther revealed her terminal cancer diagnosis and expressed her wish to end her own life at Swiss assisted dying clinic Dignitas - where the practice is legal - if things got too much. A message reportedly sent to MPs by Dame Esther ahead of today's debate said that changing the law would allow terminally ill people like her 'not to shorten their lives, but shorten their deaths'. She has since been taking what her family described as a 'wonder drug'. But her daughter shared the drug has now appeared to have stopped working and Dame Esther is too unwell to travel. Though the law will be passed 'too late' for her own mum to end her life legally should she want to, her family are hopeful 'she may have enabled it to happen for other people'. READ MORE: Esther Rantzen's husband whispered final two-word statement to her before dying Rebecca told the Express: "She's going to be watching the debate and is very interested to see how it turns out, and hopeful. Mum has been indomitable her whole life, this shouldn't have to be her campaign. She should have peace of mind, she should know that whatever happens, she has a choice at the end of her life. That is not going to happen for her. The only bright spot in that for us is that she may have enabled it to happen for other people. And I'm going to keep going for as long as it takes." The TV host, who is a broadcaster like her mother and regularly appears on shows like Watchdog, admitted she was 'living in a place of absolute denial' about her mother's illness, but said she found comfort that 'something good' could still come from all of their campaigning. Praising her mother's previous work with various charities and setting up children's helpline Childline, Rebecca said her mum's legacy was 'already clad in platinum', but helping to legalise assisted dying would be 'another diamond on top of it.' She added: "She has never stopped working for people she feels need to be listened to and voices that need to be heard. This is a brilliant campaign. I can't describe the bravery and strength, power and beauty of the people that I have met, who have lost loved ones or who are facing a terminal diagnosis themselves. Their strength and courage — if we can bring a voice to that then we have done our job." As the historic vote takes place today, campaigners for and against assisted dying are expected to be watching the debate from the public gallery of the House of Commons. Among them will be Louise Shackleton, who took her husband Anthony, 59, who had motor neurone disease, to Diginitas in Switzerland to die in December. Louise, 58, from North Yorkshire, is now being investigated by the police. Explaining her stance on it, told The Mirror: "We as human beings need to treat humans as well as we treat animals. If I was to have kept a dog the way that I was going to be expected to keep my husband, I would have been arrested, I would be prosecuted, I would be put in prison and I would be banned from keeping an animal again. But yet my husband was expected to suffer more than any other animal." Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who voted in favour of assisted dying during the first Commons vote last year, signalled he still backed a change in the law. It is thought he will vote that way again after he said: "From my own experience in this field - I dealt with it when I was the chief prosecutor - is that I do understand there are different views, strongly held views on both sides that have to be respected. My views have been consistent throughout."
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Dad, 67, says 'nothing will replace' life he has lost to MND but he has one hope
The Mirror spoke to Steve Gibson, who has MND, and Liz Poole, whose dad Bob died from lung cancer - they are both in favour of legalising assisted dying due to their experiences A man with motor neurone disease has said 'nothing will replace' the life he has already lost but pleaded with MPs to give him the choice of an assisted death if his pain becomes unbearable. Steve Gibson, 67, from south London, said it would be 'extremely selfish' for politicians to vote against legalising assisted dying as it is not them who are suffering. The dad-of-five, who was diagnosed with MND in 2023, has good days and bad days, sometimes having to lean on a family member or using a stick when he's walking. Steve, who previously worked in transport logistics, teared up as he spoke about how tough it was to think about the future, saying he had already been deteriorating. 'I miss my work, my hobbies. I love my motorbikes. All that stops and it literally just does exactly that. It stops,' he said. 'So you then try and think of, what else can I do to replace that? And there is nothing, nothing will replace that.' Steve, who has 11 grandchildren, said he doesn't want to have to suffer when his illness gets worse, adding: 'I don't want that for any of my family. It's pretty disgusting what you go through with MND. I don't want somebody to change my nappy. How degrading is that for the person that's got to do it, and for me?' He continued: 'I hope that assisted dying will be in place. I really do. Look, no one wants to suffer. You know, you can be the bravest, biggest guy in the world, no one wants to suffer. 'I don't want to suffer any more than I do now some days. But this, whatever happens to me at the moment, will happen multiple times. It will increase. It will multiply hugely as we move forward.' Asked what he thinks about the possibility of MPs not voting to legalise assisted dying, Steve added: 'In a way, I think it's extremely selfish of them. They're not the people that are suffering. Their families aren't the families that are suffering. They're making choices. They're elected. Let's do it right.' 'My dad wanted to die - he hated his life so much' A woman has said it would be 'criminal' for MPs to reject a bid to change the law on assisted dying. Liz Poole, 47, from Henley, watched her dad Bob suffer in pain until his death at 82 from lung cancer in 2022. Former chemistry teacher Bob tried to take his own life by overdosing on painkillers, during which he fell and broke his hip, which caused further pain and suffering. He had considered going to Switzerland's assisted dying organisation Dignitas but it was 'hideously expensive', Liz said. 'He eventually became housebound. He was sort of moving around using a trolley," she said. "He actually started drinking quite heavily. I think he was just trying to blot everything out, because he just hated his life so much. 'And then he started telling us all that he just wanted to die, and he hated it, and obviously there was nothing we could do. We had great palliative care but there's only so much they can do. 'I think just everything got so much for him… He took an overdose of Oramorph, which was the painkiller that he had. We found him on the floor. He'd pulled himself under the bed, trying to hide, just hoping that he'd die before we found him.' Liz's mum found him first and when she later arrived she found her dad 'screaming' out in pain. Bob survived the overdose and died some time later in an assisted home, where he stopped eating and "wasted away' to five and a half stone. Liz choked up as she said her dad was on his own when he died. 'He just looked horrific all the time. We were not expecting him to go then," she said. 'That's just not how we wanted him to go. All of this could have been his choosing and he could have gone in a way where he would've had dignity. "If (the bill) doesn't go through, it will be devastating for not just people who are ill now, but people who potentially may get ill in the future.' Liz added that her dad dedicated his life to public service, teaching in Africa where he helped to build a school, and volunteering after his retirement. "He was just a good member of society and it would be really disappointing if we couldn't get this through and honour that," she said. :: Contact the Samaritans for mental health support on 116 123, email at or visit to find your nearest branch.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
We have taken a vital step towards ending terminal suffering
Last night MSPs voted in favour of the general principles of my Assisted Dying Bill and sent it forward for further consideration. This is a significant moment. Two previous Bills have been considered by the Scottish parliament but never received more than 36 votes in favour. I always knew that this vote would be close but I was heartened to see MSPs agree to take the next step forward. In advance of the vote I had asked my colleagues across the parliament to listen to those this Bill is meant to serve: terminally ill Scots facing the end of their lives with unimaginable suffering and far too little choice and control. This is not an abstract debate. It's about families who witness their loved ones endure unbearable pain. Assisted dying isn't a radical idea. It's a compassionate one, supported by decades of evidence and practice from around the world. Under the current law, the only options for too many Scots are to travel abroad to Dignitas at great cost and distress, or to suffer in silence. If MSPs back my Bill at Stage 3 in a few months' time, we would change that, offering a carefully regulated, medically supervised route for those with a terminal diagnosis and mental capacity to end their lives on their own terms. The safeguards are strong. Two doctors must independently confirm a terminal illness and capacity, with referrals to specific experts if necessary. There must be clear consent, understanding of all treatment options available and protections against coercion. No doctor will ever be forced to participate. This is about choice, not obligation. Indeed, my Bill would put in place safeguards that don't currently exist. For many years it has been clear that a majority of people in Scotland support change. Public polling is consistent across age range, political affiliation, disability status, geographic area and religious belief. Today's vote was a free vote with no MSP bound by party line. Joining me in voting in favour were current and former Scottish Conservative leaders Russell Findlay and Jackson Carlaw, SNP Cabinet Secretaries like Gillian Martin and Shirley Anne Somerville, Labour frontbenchers like Daniel Johnson and party leaders from the Greens and Liberal Democrats. It's not a group you would ever expect to see align on any issue but it shows the breadth of support for a change in the law. Giving parliament the chance to move to the next stage of considering amendments to my Bill is an important step in standing up for choice, dignity, and compassion at the end of life.
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Esther Rantzen's That's Life stars now - problem 'moobs' to tragic death
It's been three decades since That's Life! was on our TV screens, but the Esther Rantzen-fronted show is still fondly remembered by many - what became of its many stars? That's Life! was a TV institution – one of the biggest shows of its time, regularly watched by more than 20 million viewers. A bizarre mix of campaigning consumer affairs, rudely-shaped garden vegetables and a dog who could say "sausages", it was launched in 1973 and ran for 21 years, until it was eventually axed in 1994. At the helm was the indomitable Esther Rantzen, later made a Dame, who presented alongside a string of co-hosts including Gavin Campbell, Doc Cox, Joanna Monro, Chris Serle and Howard Leader. Memorable moments from the show pervaded everyday life, with singer Allison Jordan winning a search for a star competition in an early precursor to The X Factor, even being awarded a recording contract with Simon Cowell. A campaign against child abuse also led to Esther famously establishing the helpline Childline, while a weekly jobsworth hat was awarded to officious members of the public who enforced seemingly-pointless rules because it was 'more than their job was worth not to.' Add into the mix the carrots that looked like penises, or parsnips resembling vaginas, and a dog who famously – and not particularly coherently – said the word 'sausages', and you have some idea of why the studio audience was either in hysterics or floods of tears during each week's episode. 'Our clout came from the size of our audience,' Esther told The Guardian, 'which meant that decision-makers, even prime ministers, knew we were watched by the people they answered to. It helped that Sunday night was the evening MPs were most likely to watch TV.' But what became of That's Life!'s many presenters? Mirror takes a look at the lives and careers of some of its best-loved faces.... Esther Rantzen Esther, now 84, devised the show alongside two other co-creators. Sadly, in January 2023 she revealed she has lung cancer and later said she wanted to die at Swiss clinic Dignitas, while campaigning for assisted dying. However, in March this year her daughter Rebecca Wilcox said Esther was now too unwell to travel to Switzerland for the death she wanted, and that her mum's life-preserving drugs were no longer working. Speaking of her proudest achievements in life, Esther said: 'Childline has made such a difference to millions of children. So has the Silver Line Helpline for isolated and vulnerable older people. And I'm delighted that people are still moved and inspired by the moment on That's Life! when we introduced Sir Nicholas Winton to the children he saved from the Holocaust. I consider myself so lucky to have been in the right place at the right time with the right brilliant teams.' Joanna Monro Actress Joanna, 69, was on That's Life! for just two years – from 1982 to 1984. She went on to become a theatre star, playing the part of Rosie in the ABBA musical Mamma Mia, spending five years in the show in London's West End, as well as on tour. She is married to Granville Saxton, best known for playing a Death Eater in the Harry Potter franchise. Doc Cox Doc, 78, started on That's Life! as the show's warm-up man for 10 years, before switching to a role in front of the cameras, remembering: "Someone didn't turn up for one of the auditions or something, and I was sort of pushed in". He's also known by the stage name Ivor Biggun and has released four albums of humorous, smutty songs. One of his singles was NME's single of the week in the late 1970s and reached No 22 in the UK charts. Bill Buckley Bill, 66, presented the show from 1982 to 1985, having been chosen from a list of thousands while he was working as a newspaper reporter. He went on to appear on the BBC's Holiday programme as well as gameshows including Blankety Blank, Call My Bluff and All Star Secrets. When Channel 5 launched in 1997, he was a senior continuity announcer for more than five years and became a presenter on local radio. Bill has also spoken out about his struggle with 'moobs' – a condition called gynacomastia – where men develop female-type breasts even if they are not overweight or out of condition. He said: "I suffered from this until I had my moobs removed at the age of 40 and am always looking for opportunities to 'bang the drum' about corrective surgery." Howard Leader Howard appeared on TV in shows including the popular sitcom 'Allo 'Allo before joining That's Life! for it's final five years before it was axed. He went on to present for BBC local radio, including BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Gavin Campbell Gavin, 79, presented the show from 1982 until its end in 1994, having previously appeared in the film adaptation of TV show On The Buses. In the 1997 general election, he presented a video for Referendum Party, supporting the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. Since 2003, he has been part of a company that imports wine, having retired from showbiz. Chris Serle Chris sadly died in September last year, at the age of 81, as the BBC paid tribute to a "familiar and cherished figure on British television screens throughout the 1970s and 1980s". His broadcasting journey included stints presenting In at the Deep End and Points of View for the corporation. He was also at the helm of Radio 4's Pick of the Week from 1981 to 1988, and entertained listeners on his long-running afternoon show on BBC Radio Bristol. Chris's list of prominent shows further includes Windmill, treasured for revisiting archived BBC clips of hit series such as Blue Peter and Doctor Who. He was seen in The Computer Programme, which aired in 1982, and later in Monkey Business. Adrian Mills Adrian, 68, appeared on the show for seven years, until 1984. He later went on to be a location reporter on Cilla Black 's dating show Surprise, Surprise and became the face of the BBC's daytime TV schedule. He also presented a series of podcasts, reuniting with Esther Rantzen, called That's Afterlife. He is currently the consumer expert on TalkTV and is the co-owner of Thai Tho, a Thai restaurant located in Wimbledon, London, awarded the Open Table Diners' Choice Award in 2024. Mollie Sugden Actress Mollie, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 86, was best known for starring in the beloved TV sitcom Are You Being Served? She also famously appeared in other shows including Coronation Street, The Liver Birds, That's My Boy and even Little Britain, alongside David Walliams and Matt Lucas. But many TV fans don't know that Mollie also had her own slot on That's Life!, with a 23-week stint in 1986. Mollie died of unspecified heart failure – her final appearance in public coming at the funeral of her Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard, also known for playing Pauline Fowler on EastEnders, just a few months earlier. Simon Fanshawe Simon won the Perrier Comedy Award in 1989 and joined That's Life! in 1990. After leaving the series he went on to become a co-founder of the LGBT charity Stonewall and still presents on TV. The 68 year old lives in Brighton with his husband. Cyril Fletcher Cyril was an English comedian, broadcaster and panto star, amongst other things - and brought his 'Odd Odes' to That's Life! in 1973, also reading humorous cuttings and getting involved in the campaigning journalism of the show, staying until 1981. He died in his sleep in January 2005 at the age of 91, after a short illness, with his wife passing away less than seven months later. Maev Alexander Maev is a Scottish television and stage actress known for her roles in The Gentle Touch, Sutherland's Law, Holding The Fort and The New Avengers. She joined the That's Life! presenting team for several years, before going on to star in a romantic thriller alongside Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
