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Prosecution of Susan Austen shows need for reform

Prosecution of Susan Austen shows need for reform

he police investigation and prosecution of Hutt Valley woman Susan Austen shows the need for Parliament to pass a law allowing medically assisted dying, David Seymour says.

“Whatever the outcome of Ms Austen’s case, it shows that people with terminal or incurable illness should be able to ask a doctor to help them die.”

“As it stands, if a person who is suffering from illness wishes to die they are driven either to commit suicide, often in horrific circumstances, or to seek the help of friends and family – who break the law if they assist.

“There are no safeguards when it comes to amateur assisted suicide.

“None of this would happen if there were a legal option of a medically assisted death, carried out by doctors, with safeguards to protect the vulnerable and ensure informed consent. These would be provided by my End of Life Choice Bill.”

Notes:

Susan Austen is charged with assisting the suicide of Annemarie Niesje Treadwell, aged 77. Ms Treadwell complained of painful arthritis and memory loss.

Under the End of Life Choice Bill assisting suicide would remain illegal except if provided by a doctor, to an eligible person, suffering from a grievous and irremediable condition, after checks by two physicians.

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