Dignity in Dying
@dignityindying.org.uk
We believe in choice at the end of life. Including the option of assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults.
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
Baroness Hayter asked about international evidence showing that, for many, having the option of an assisted death offers comfort and control — even if they never use it.
October 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Baroness Hayter asked about international evidence showing that, for many, having the option of an assisted death offers comfort and control — even if they never use it.
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand."
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand."
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Here are the 5 things you need to know about what happened in the House of Lords Select Committee looking at the assisted dying bill in 60 seconds.
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Here are the 5 things you need to know about what happened in the House of Lords Select Committee looking at the assisted dying bill in 60 seconds.
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Peers that people who are dying cannot wait for all social issues to be resolved before we change the law on assisted dying - they need the choice this Bill offers now.
“If we’re going to wait until there’s no inequality, we’re going to wait for an awful long time.”
“If we’re going to wait until there’s no inequality, we’re going to wait for an awful long time.”
November 7, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Peers that people who are dying cannot wait for all social issues to be resolved before we change the law on assisted dying - they need the choice this Bill offers now.
“If we’re going to wait until there’s no inequality, we’re going to wait for an awful long time.”
“If we’re going to wait until there’s no inequality, we’re going to wait for an awful long time.”
“The overwhelming feedback from patients and families was gratitude.”
Dr Jeanne Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand’s experience of assisted dying shows how compassion, safety and choice can, and do, coexist in practice.
Dr Jeanne Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand’s experience of assisted dying shows how compassion, safety and choice can, and do, coexist in practice.
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“The overwhelming feedback from patients and families was gratitude.”
Dr Jeanne Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand’s experience of assisted dying shows how compassion, safety and choice can, and do, coexist in practice.
Dr Jeanne Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand’s experience of assisted dying shows how compassion, safety and choice can, and do, coexist in practice.
“This bill is for people at the end of life, people who are terminally ill.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare clarifies who this Bill is for. When Parliaments legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as in Australia, New Zealand and US states, they remain laws which give terminally ill adults choice.
Sir Tom Shakespeare clarifies who this Bill is for. When Parliaments legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as in Australia, New Zealand and US states, they remain laws which give terminally ill adults choice.
November 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“This bill is for people at the end of life, people who are terminally ill.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare clarifies who this Bill is for. When Parliaments legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as in Australia, New Zealand and US states, they remain laws which give terminally ill adults choice.
Sir Tom Shakespeare clarifies who this Bill is for. When Parliaments legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as in Australia, New Zealand and US states, they remain laws which give terminally ill adults choice.
“This has been advanced cautiously, over a long period of time.”
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill describes the assisted dying Bill as the safest in the world, benefiting from extensive parliamentary scrutiny and learning from the experience of approaches overseas.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill describes the assisted dying Bill as the safest in the world, benefiting from extensive parliamentary scrutiny and learning from the experience of approaches overseas.
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“This has been advanced cautiously, over a long period of time.”
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill describes the assisted dying Bill as the safest in the world, benefiting from extensive parliamentary scrutiny and learning from the experience of approaches overseas.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Max Hill describes the assisted dying Bill as the safest in the world, benefiting from extensive parliamentary scrutiny and learning from the experience of approaches overseas.
Palliative Care Minister Stephen Kinnock MP told Peers the assisted dying Bill has been a ‘catalyst’ for palliative care, pushing it up the political agenda and said there will be a plan to strengthen services.
This mirrors countries where legalising assisted dying has boosted funding and access.
This mirrors countries where legalising assisted dying has boosted funding and access.
November 6, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Palliative Care Minister Stephen Kinnock MP told Peers the assisted dying Bill has been a ‘catalyst’ for palliative care, pushing it up the political agenda and said there will be a plan to strengthen services.
This mirrors countries where legalising assisted dying has boosted funding and access.
This mirrors countries where legalising assisted dying has boosted funding and access.
“It is far better to use systems that people are used to.”
Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty says the Mental Capacity Act is tried and tested - in practice and in law - to facilitate person-centred decisions. The assisted dying Bill uses the MCA to ensure it operates safely.
Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty says the Mental Capacity Act is tried and tested - in practice and in law - to facilitate person-centred decisions. The assisted dying Bill uses the MCA to ensure it operates safely.
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“It is far better to use systems that people are used to.”
Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty says the Mental Capacity Act is tried and tested - in practice and in law - to facilitate person-centred decisions. The assisted dying Bill uses the MCA to ensure it operates safely.
Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty says the Mental Capacity Act is tried and tested - in practice and in law - to facilitate person-centred decisions. The assisted dying Bill uses the MCA to ensure it operates safely.
“The best regulations are ones that are simple and clear.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty warns against entangling dying patients in complex bureaucracy.
The assisted dying Bill is built on safety and evidence - clear, simple safeguards protect people and provide choice.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty warns against entangling dying patients in complex bureaucracy.
The assisted dying Bill is built on safety and evidence - clear, simple safeguards protect people and provide choice.
November 6, 2025 at 12:34 PM
“The best regulations are ones that are simple and clear.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty warns against entangling dying patients in complex bureaucracy.
The assisted dying Bill is built on safety and evidence - clear, simple safeguards protect people and provide choice.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Prof Sir Chris Whitty warns against entangling dying patients in complex bureaucracy.
The assisted dying Bill is built on safety and evidence - clear, simple safeguards protect people and provide choice.
“This Bill… brings all of that into the open.”
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the assisted dying Bill would replace the current lack of oversight - which criminalises compassion and hinders proper investigation - with clear, regulated safeguards.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the assisted dying Bill would replace the current lack of oversight - which criminalises compassion and hinders proper investigation - with clear, regulated safeguards.
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
“This Bill… brings all of that into the open.”
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the assisted dying Bill would replace the current lack of oversight - which criminalises compassion and hinders proper investigation - with clear, regulated safeguards.
Former Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the assisted dying Bill would replace the current lack of oversight - which criminalises compassion and hinders proper investigation - with clear, regulated safeguards.
“We'd probably relish the challenge of setting up a service like this.”
Laura Wilson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society told the Lords Select Committee that pharmacists can draw on international experience, showing that strong safeguards ensure both safety and choice in assisted dying services.
Laura Wilson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society told the Lords Select Committee that pharmacists can draw on international experience, showing that strong safeguards ensure both safety and choice in assisted dying services.
November 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
“We'd probably relish the challenge of setting up a service like this.”
Laura Wilson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society told the Lords Select Committee that pharmacists can draw on international experience, showing that strong safeguards ensure both safety and choice in assisted dying services.
Laura Wilson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society told the Lords Select Committee that pharmacists can draw on international experience, showing that strong safeguards ensure both safety and choice in assisted dying services.
"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand."
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
November 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
"We could have been there to hold my mum's hand."
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Catie and her sister couldn’t accompany their terminally ill mother to her assisted death at Dignitas, for fear of prosecution.
The current law makes compassion a crime. It is time for change. #YestoDignity
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.”
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.”
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
Good to see this. Hope the Lords Select Committee take note.
Last week Sir Tom Shakespeare had a powerful message for the Lords Select Committee on assisted dying - disabled people, like the vast majority of the public, back law change on assisted dying. It's time for a fair, safe law for dying people.
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Good to see this. Hope the Lords Select Committee take note.
Last week Sir Tom Shakespeare had a powerful message for the Lords Select Committee on assisted dying - disabled people, like the vast majority of the public, back law change on assisted dying. It's time for a fair, safe law for dying people.
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Last week Sir Tom Shakespeare had a powerful message for the Lords Select Committee on assisted dying - disabled people, like the vast majority of the public, back law change on assisted dying. It's time for a fair, safe law for dying people.
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
October 31, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
Reposted by Dignity in Dying
“The difference between a good and a bad death is the rest of the lives of those left behind.”
Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo.
It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity
Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo.
It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity
October 29, 2025 at 11:06 AM
“The difference between a good and a bad death is the rest of the lives of those left behind.”
Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo.
It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity
Anil’s terminally ill father was denied choice — forced into a lonely, dangerous death under the status quo.
It’s time Peers listened to dying people and their families. #YesToDignity
“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
October 31, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“I think we must be careful not to be paternalistic.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
Sir Tom Shakespeare told the Lords Committee that the assisted dying Bill gives terminally ill people choice — not instead of palliative care, but as another tool in its arsenal — with safeguards that protect autonomy and safety.
“The majority of disabled people support assisted dying.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare said the Bill is more compassionate and safer than the current law — and evidence from countries where assisted dying for terminally ill adults is legal shows that these laws work safely.
Sir Tom Shakespeare said the Bill is more compassionate and safer than the current law — and evidence from countries where assisted dying for terminally ill adults is legal shows that these laws work safely.
October 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“The majority of disabled people support assisted dying.”
Sir Tom Shakespeare said the Bill is more compassionate and safer than the current law — and evidence from countries where assisted dying for terminally ill adults is legal shows that these laws work safely.
Sir Tom Shakespeare said the Bill is more compassionate and safer than the current law — and evidence from countries where assisted dying for terminally ill adults is legal shows that these laws work safely.
“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.”
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“I’m doing everything I can to stay alive.”
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Sophie is fighting for access to life-extending drugs, and for the right to choose how her story ends.
She wants to be here for her daughter, to fight for more time, and to ensure her death, when it comes, is dignified and without suffering.
Prof Sam Ahmedzai: assisted dying can work alongside palliative care. In other countries it often happens at home, with support from community and specialist services. He stresses both should happen in tandem — giving patients timely, quality end-of-life options.
October 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Prof Sam Ahmedzai: assisted dying can work alongside palliative care. In other countries it often happens at home, with support from community and specialist services. He stresses both should happen in tandem — giving patients timely, quality end-of-life options.
Sarah Sackman KC MP, and Justice Minister: “The status quo… gives rise to a mischief in which behaviour that some might describe as compassionate is effectively criminalised, and where some feel compelled to take their own lives.”
She notes the Bill seeks to address these harms of the current law.
She notes the Bill seeks to address these harms of the current law.
October 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Sarah Sackman KC MP, and Justice Minister: “The status quo… gives rise to a mischief in which behaviour that some might describe as compassionate is effectively criminalised, and where some feel compelled to take their own lives.”
She notes the Bill seeks to address these harms of the current law.
She notes the Bill seeks to address these harms of the current law.
“Asking for assisted dying… may open the door to palliative care.”
Prof Sam Ahmedzai says the Bill can help ensure people can access all the end-of-life care and treatment available to them as well as providing much-needed choice.
#AssistedDyingBill #YesToDignity
Prof Sam Ahmedzai says the Bill can help ensure people can access all the end-of-life care and treatment available to them as well as providing much-needed choice.
#AssistedDyingBill #YesToDignity
October 29, 2025 at 6:31 PM
“Asking for assisted dying… may open the door to palliative care.”
Prof Sam Ahmedzai says the Bill can help ensure people can access all the end-of-life care and treatment available to them as well as providing much-needed choice.
#AssistedDyingBill #YesToDignity
Prof Sam Ahmedzai says the Bill can help ensure people can access all the end-of-life care and treatment available to them as well as providing much-needed choice.
#AssistedDyingBill #YesToDignity
“The debate on assisted dying has created more of a national conversation about death and dying than I’ve seen in my time in the hospice sector.”
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, on how this discussion could improve understanding and reduce traumatic late-stage treatments.
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, on how this discussion could improve understanding and reduce traumatic late-stage treatments.
October 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
“The debate on assisted dying has created more of a national conversation about death and dying than I’ve seen in my time in the hospice sector.”
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, on how this discussion could improve understanding and reduce traumatic late-stage treatments.
Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, on how this discussion could improve understanding and reduce traumatic late-stage treatments.