Choosing to die: NCPC statement

Last night, BBC2 controversially broadcast the final moments of a man's assisted death.

In the documentary 'Choosing To Die', 71-year-old British man Peter Smedley, who suffered from motor neurone disease, was shown drinking a glass of barbiturates before dying at the Swiss Dignitas clinic.

The film was made by fantasy book author Terry Pratchett - who has Alzheimer's disease. Sir Terry also talked to others suffering from debilitating illnesses who decide to take their death into their own hands and considered how he might choose to end his own life as his condition worsens.

In response to the programme, Eve Richardson, Chief Executive of the National Council for Palliative Care, made the following statement:

"Assisted dying is an important issue, but it needs to be seen in the wider context of end of life care.

"Every minute someone in the UK dies, but too many people are still not able to receive the type of end of life care they want, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. The priority should be to improve 24/7 access to palliative and end of life care wherever people want to be, whether this is their home, a care home or hospital if they need to be there.

"We only have one chance to get it right for people who are dying, which is why high quality end of life care and support must be available for everyone when and where they need it."

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