A pressure group says that the island should provide better care rather than introduce ’assisted dying’.

Ramsey MHK Dr Alex Allinson’s Tynwald motion that legislation should be created to allow voluntary assisted dying in the island has prompted a heated discussion in the public.

Assisted dying is death undertaken with the aid of another person, usually within the medical profession. It would allow people, such as those with a terminal illness, to take control of their death.

The practice is illegal in the UK, but voluntary assisted dying is allowed in certain circumstances in a number of other countries.

Opposing the practice is the Isle of Man branch of Life Charity.

The group also opposed the Abortion Reform Act, which was given royal assent last year with abortions being available in the island from May.

Liz Parsons, director of advocacy at Life Charity who also represents Life IOM, is concerned that introducing assisted dying could put vulnerable people at risk or be a ’slippery slope’ towards euthanasia whereby a health professional administers the lethal drugs themselves.

She said: ’We need to concentrate on any gaps in palliative care rather than offering assisted dying, such as providing counselling, physiotherapy, services that help to relieve pain and provides support.

support

’Assisted dying could really put vulnerable people in the Isle of Man at risk. People who aren’t able to speak for themselves, the elderly, people with disabilities, the terminally ill or people who need better support.

’A high number of patients that are taking the euthanasia pill do so because they feel like they are a burden on their family. For me, that’s not a reason to give them the option of assisted death. There’s no way someone should feel that way and for assisted dying to be a "more loving" response. A caring response would be to give more help.’

She said the island already has some of the best palliative care through services such as Hospice Isle of Man.

’Using the words "dying with dignity" makes you assume people cannot die with dignity without euthanasia, but they can,’ she added. ’There are plenty of ways to have a good death without it.’

Miss Parsons added that there are some concerns that disabled people who need extra help may be offered assisted dying first. ’It might be coming from a compassionate place, but they’re looking at it in the wrong way,’ she said.

A number of Life IOM members attended Tynwald on Tuesday where a number of speakers briefed politicians.

Dr Allinson would next seek leave to introduce a private member’s bill to the House of Keys - if Tynwald supports his motion.

Comment, page 18