Friday, October 18, 2024

Becky Cooper's reply

Becky Cooper MP replies:

Good evening,

Thank you for contacting me about the private members bill relating to assisted dying. This is a complex and emotive issue and I know there are strongly held ethical and moral views on both sides of the debate.

As a medical doctor and public health consultant I have spent 20 years helping people to be well and to access the best possible care when they are ill. It’s what brought me into politics.

I recognise the need to ensure everyone with a terminal diagnosis has access to high quality end of life care and to mental health services. Assisted dying is not an alternative to high quality palliative and end of life care but I believe it is right that we seek to minimise suffering and allow people a dignified death.

Any change to the law in relation to assisted dying must balance the need to have sufficient safeguards in relation to informed consent and protecting against abuse. It is my view that this Bill does provide appropriate safeguards and I will be supporting a change in the law to enable terminally ill adults to receive, at their own informed request, medically supervised assistance to end their own lives.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
 
Best wishes,
Dr Beccy Cooper MP | Member of Parliament for Worthing West

Becky Cooper may be unique in realising the importance of palliative care. Most politicians just think that assisted suicide is cheaper than palliative care. Of course they are not going to assist suicide for MPs so it is not a "tough decision" for them.

No comments: