Latest news with #MotorNeurone
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Date set for return of assisted dying votes after MP's bid takes step forward
Kim Leadbeater's bid to legalise assisted dying took a step forward on Friday as a key change was backed by MPs. After a five-hour debate, momentum still appeared behind the Labour MP in her attempt to allow terminally ill adults with six months left to apply to end their lives. The Commons supported Ms Leadbeater's amendment to allow health workers to opt out of helping with assisted dying. A change put forward by an opponent to the Bill was defeated. MPs will debate the law once again on June 13 with over 100 amendments tabled. There will then be a crunch vote on the highly sensitive issue. The debate on Friday was the first time the proposed legislation had returned to the Commons since a historic vote in November saw a majority of MPs support the principle of assisted dying. Bringing her Bill back to Parliament, Ms Leadbeater said assisted dying must be legalised to avoid terminally ill people acting out of desperation or making "traumatic" trips to Dignitas, in Switzerland. The Labour MP for Spen Valley said: "Put simply, if we do not vote to change the law, we are essentially saying that the status quo is acceptable. Over recent months, I have heard hundreds of stories from people who have lost loved ones in deeply difficult and traumatic circumstances, which show that that is clearly not the case. "Too many have seen their terminally-ill loved ones take their own lives out of desperation, or make the traumatic, lonely and costly trip to Switzerland, and then face a police investigation while dealing with their grief and loss." On Friday grieving families watched the debate from the public gallery of the House of Commons as the Bill was debated in the chamber. Louise Shackleton, who is being investigated by police for taking her husband Anthony, 59, to Diginitas, to die in December, was among them. She has previously said Anthony, who was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease, had a "beautiful death". Speaking to The Mirror, she praised Labour MP Ms Leadbeater. Louise, 58, said: "I think Kim's speech was very measured, very articulate, and she got the point of what people with a terminal illness want from an assisted death.I think she was absolutely spot-on." But she said MPs repeatedly bringing up problems with palliative care "simply have no understanding of what someone who wants an assisted death actually wants". She added: "They seem to be under the impression that everyone that's terminally ill wants to die. They're not, they want to live. Our motor neurone community has the strongest, most amazing people, and all of them want to live. However what they don't want, when their time comes, they do not want to suffer an appalling, grotesque death." The at-times emotional and impassioned debate saw supporters of changing the law argue the Bill has returned with strengthened safeguards after being amended in committee earlier this year. Ms Leadbeater's amendment will allow medics to excuse themselves from being involved in an assisted death. Doctors already had an opt-out but the new clause extends that to anyone, including pharmacists and social care workers. Tory MP Rebecca Paul, who sits on the bill's committee, saw her amendment defeated. It called for employers opposed to assisted dying to be allowed to prevent their workers from providing the service. Ms Paul, who is against a change in the law, argued assisted dying 'will harm far more people than it will help and those people that will be harmed are the most vulnerable in our communities'. "It really is life or death so please don't accept anything that isn't good enough,' she said. During the debate, multiple MPs raised concerns that patients could 'shop around' for different doctors to grant their assisted dying request if they are initially rejected for the procedure. But Ms Leadbeater assured the Commons that a report would be produced by a doctor if they felt the patient did not meet the criteria. This would then be passed onto the patient, the co-ordinating doctor and an assisted dying commissioner overseeing the case. Other MPs said the UK's 'broken' NHS, social care and palliative care systems needing addressing before assisted dying was accepted. Opponents also complained the Bill does not have enough protections and has been rushed through. Labour MP Naz Shah claimed she did not realise her amendment ensuring better protections for those who voluntarily stop eating or drinking had been accepted until she was sitting in Parliament. She described the parliamentary process as 'chaos', adding: "We shouldn't be playing games with people's lives like this." Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday. Jess Asato, a Labour MP who opposes the bill, was among MPs to hit out at a letter from broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen claiming that those who have concerns about the bill have "undeclared religious beliefs'. She says she found she and her colleagues found this "distasteful and disrespectful". The daughter of Dame Esther, who has stage four lung cancer and sparked a national conversation on assisted dying, said her mum is "terrified" her family will see her go through a "traumatic death". Speaking at a demonstration outside Parliament, Rebecca Wilcox said: "She's terrified that our memories of her - and they are such good memories - will be destroyed by a bad death, and so she's asking for choice for everybody. Unfortunately, it won't be in time for her." Opponents of the bill also gathered in Westminster, including actor and disability campaigner Liz Carr. Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, said assisted dying was "really dangerous". Once you put assisted suicide or euthanasia into medicine, which is what's being proposed, there are lots and lots of vulnerable people at a huge risk of pressure or abuse, perhaps, by partners or, alternatively, just feeling a burden,' he said.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Jobs boost for Wexford as leading home care provider announces plans for 40 new hires
Dovida, which recently rebranded from Home Instead and has been providing care to ageing adults in Ireland since 2005, announced plans to hire up to 40 caregivers across Wexford as they set out plans to increase capacity in the sector and expand its service offerings in the county. The roles will be a combination of full and part-time positions, offering competitive rates of pay, flexible schedules, and comprehensive, sector-leading training through the Home Care Professionals Academy. Speaking at the launch of Dovida's local office in Wexford, Martin Murphy, General Manager of Dovida Wexford, said: 'We are delighted to be joined by our Caregiver of the Year, Sally Holden, to celebrate this wonderful occasion. We are excited about welcoming more caregivers like Sally to our team. They will help us meet the growing need for home care services in Wexford and make it possible for more people to receive the support they need to live comfortably and independently at home. 'Caregivers joining our team can expect comprehensive training, a dedicated local team and supportive environment as well as opportunities to grow professionally and develop a rewarding career in home care,' he said. Dovida currently provides person-centred home care services to 8,000 people across Ireland. Historically, the majority of the organisation's client base consisted of people in the over-65 age group. However, Dovida now cares for clients of all ages, with 10 per cent under 65, while children under 18 make up one per cent of people cared for. Dovida's services have adapted to the varied needs of its clients, and the company now provides services to support people living with an acquired brain injury, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Motor Neurone Disease, as well as helping children and young adults with additional needs. 'We believe in quality home care that empowers people to live with dignity, independence, and comfort in familiar surroundings,' Martin Murphy said. 'That means keeping them in their own home, connected to their family, friends and communities for as long as possible. Social interaction and companionship are crucial for maintaining good mental health and supporting those experiencing cognitive decline, particularly older people. 'As an organisation with deep roots in the community, we understand the value of connection and it's fantastic to be in a position to grow our team so we can support more and more people throughout Wexford,' Martin concluded. Dovida caregivers provide essential support to ageing adults and people living with disabilities in their own homes. The organisation's person-centred approach means that its caregivers build meaningful connections with their clients and empower them to live fuller, more independent lives. Dovida welcomes applications from people from all walks of life and is committed to supporting them every step of the way. People interested in pursuing a rewarding career in caregiving are encouraged to visit
Sunday World
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Rangers fans furious over Sinn Féin MP's visit to Ibrox to raise cash for charity
The West Belfast MP was singled out for vicious abuse on social media after he visited Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow and was pictured standing next to former star player Gordon Durie on the famous marble staircase. The cyclists at the statue at Ibrox West Belfast MP Paul Maskey at a Palestine protest on the Falls Road this week Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey became a hate figure for some Rangers fans this week after crossing the sectarian divide to raise money for charity, the Sunday World has learned. The West Belfast MP was singled out for vicious abuse on social media after he visited Rangers' Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow and was pictured standing next to former star player Gordon Durie on the famous marble staircase. He had gone to Glasgow as part of a charity cycle event which visited both Ibrox and the home of their arch-rivals, Celtic Park, to pay tribute to players from both clubs who had suffered or died from Motor Neurone Disease. But some Rangers fans were outraged that their club had welcomed a prominent member of Sinn Féin. One post claimed Sinn Féin had supported an IRA attack in Ligoneil in which three young Scottish Royal Highland Fusiliers lost their life five decades ago. Paul Maskey was five years old at the time of the triple murder. West Belfast MP Paul Maskey at a Palestine protest on the Falls Road this week One outraged fan posted: 'FFS Rangers' while another stated: 'This is too far.' Another posted: 'Maskey should have been chased from Ibrox, a SF scumbag.' Facebook lit up with a flood of hostile remarks being aimed at Mr Maskey as well as the Rangers Football Club. Many of the insults are too abusive to print. But the 57-year-old West Belfast MP shrugged off the abuse and said the attention only led to more donations coming in for the charity effort, which has raised more than £30,000. Mr Maskey wrote: 'An unforgettable journey completed – cycling from Belfast to Parkhead & Ibrox in memory of Anto Finnegan, raising £25,000 (and counting) for DeterMND.' He added: 'Thank you to everyone who rode, supported and donated. Your kindness means the world. All for a truly great cause.' The West Belfast MP also posted a picture of Rangers' 'welcome' mat inside the stadium's front door. Former Rangers star Gordon Durie – when told later he had been snapped smiling alongside a Sinn Féin politician – replied: 'I didn't know who it was. I just thought it was someone from the charity.' But speaking to the Sunday World, Paul Maskey MP, said he preferred to focus on the money raised for a good cause. It had been staged to raise funds for DeterMND, a charity set up in honour of Anto Finnegan, a Gaelic footballer from west Belfast who had captained Antrim. The cyclists met the Finnegan family at Celtic Park. Anto was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND)in August 2012 and he passed away in 2021. The cyclists at the statue at Ibrox Leaving Belfast last Friday morning, the cycle group arrived for a pre-arranged visit to Ibrox, where they were welcomed by larger-than-life Rangers' fan and well-known charity fundraiser, Andy Smyllie. Millionaire businessman Mr Smyllie looked on as the visitors laid a wreath in memory of Rangers star Fernando Ricksen, who succumbed to MND six years ago. And while at Ibrox, the cyclists were presented with a cheque for £3,000 for the charity. The Belfast group then continued on their journey across the city to Celtic Park in the Parkhead district, where they met relatives of Anto Brennan and the family of Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone, who also died of MND two decades ago.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PM Anwar offers support to gold medallist walker Saravanan battling same illness as Mokhtar Dahari
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife have shown their support for former race walking champion G. Saravanan, who is now fighting Motor Neurone Disease. Political secretary to the PM, Datuk Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, visited Saravanan yesterday to offer a donation and words of encouragement on their behalf. In a post on Facebook, Ahmad Farhan said Saravanan was diagnosed in 2021 with MND, the same illness that afflicted the late national football legend, the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari. 'Although his speech is now limited, the strength of spirit he radiates clearly shows how courageously he faces this challenge. 'The fire of a champion's spirit that will never fade,' he wrote. MND is a rare, progressive neurological condition that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, loss of movement, and eventually, paralysis. Saravanan's name is forever linked with national pride after his gold medal win in the 50km walk at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Today, his battle continues off the field, facing a debilitating illness with quiet strength and dignity. The visit also included Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli and officials from National Athletes Welfare Foundation, reflecting the broader recognition of Saravanan's legacy. The delegation offered prayers for his health and reaffirmed their support for athletes facing life after glory.
