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Widow urges new euthanasia laws Widow urges new euthanasia laws
(about 1 hour later)
The widow of a man who travelled abroad for an assisted suicide has called for euthanasia to be decriminalised.The widow of a man who travelled abroad for an assisted suicide has called for euthanasia to be decriminalised.
Michelle Bennett's husband Paul, whose Motor Neurone Disease left him paralysed and in constant pain, decided to die in a Swiss clinic.Michelle Bennett's husband Paul, whose Motor Neurone Disease left him paralysed and in constant pain, decided to die in a Swiss clinic.
In May 2006 Mr Bennett, of Morriston, Swansea, travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich with his family.In May 2006 Mr Bennett, of Morriston, Swansea, travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich with his family.
However, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and British Medical Association (BMA) remain opposed to euthanasia.However, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and British Medical Association (BMA) remain opposed to euthanasia.
Dignitas is a Swiss assisted suicide group that helps those with incurable physical and mental illnesses to die with the aid of doctors and nurses.Dignitas is a Swiss assisted suicide group that helps those with incurable physical and mental illnesses to die with the aid of doctors and nurses.
It was founded in 1998 by the Swiss lawyer Ludwig Minelli and Swiss laws on assisted suicide hold that a person who assists in an assisted suicide can only be prosecuted if they are motivated by self-interest. It was founded in 1998 by the Swiss lawyer Ludwig Minelli and Swiss laws on assisted suicide hold that a person who helps someone else kill themselves in this way can be prosecuted only if they are motivated by self-interest.
According to the clinic, 77 people from Britain have chosen to die at the clinic and last year the figure was double that of 2005.According to the clinic, 77 people from Britain have chosen to die at the clinic and last year the figure was double that of 2005.
But Mrs Bennett said even though her husband had no doubts about his decision, he would have preferred to die at home.But Mrs Bennett said even though her husband had no doubts about his decision, he would have preferred to die at home.
The worst part, because we had to go to Switzerland, was to actually leave him there, which was cruel Michelle BennettThe worst part, because we had to go to Switzerland, was to actually leave him there, which was cruel Michelle Bennett
"I think it's sad that we can't agree for people to end their lives the way people want to," she said."I think it's sad that we can't agree for people to end their lives the way people want to," she said.
"The worst part, because we had to go to Switzerland, was to actually leave him there, which was cruel."The worst part, because we had to go to Switzerland, was to actually leave him there, which was cruel.
"We wanted to take him home but we couldn't. If it was here it would have been so different.""We wanted to take him home but we couldn't. If it was here it would have been so different."
When the family returned to south Wales they faced being questioned by police about his death, but the case was dropped.When the family returned to south Wales they faced being questioned by police about his death, but the case was dropped.
"People are going to continue to do this," Mrs Bennett said."People are going to continue to do this," Mrs Bennett said.
Peaceful endPeaceful end
"We are pushing them to another country to get the peaceful end they need. The families suffer too, and we suffer when we come back. It just doesn't all stop there."
Assisted death is legal in some countries, such as Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and some doctors believe a change in the law could happen in the UK.Assisted death is legal in some countries, such as Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and some doctors believe a change in the law could happen in the UK.
Professor John Wagstaff, an oncologist in Swansea, who helped patients to die when he worked in the Netherlands, said: "I think we are closer now than we have ever been. Professor John Wagstaff, an oncologist in Swansea, who helped patients die when he worked in the Netherlands, said: he thought Britain was closer than ever now to introducing euthanasisa.
"Because of the way things have developed in other parts of the world it's more likely that it will happen. "Because of the way things have developed in other parts of the world it's more likely that it will happen," he said.
Professor John Wagstaff has assisted patients to die Professor John Wagstaff has helped patients die
"Euthanasia is a valuable thing for patients to have, bearing in mind that not everybody will make that decision," he added."Euthanasia is a valuable thing for patients to have, bearing in mind that not everybody will make that decision," he added.
But recent attempts to change the law have been unsuccessful. The Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill was rejected by the House of Lords in May 2006.But recent attempts to change the law have been unsuccessful. The Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill was rejected by the House of Lords in May 2006.
"The majority of the BMA at their conference certainly felt it would be wrong for us to go down that road," said Dr Tony Calland, chair of the BMA medical ethics committee."The majority of the BMA at their conference certainly felt it would be wrong for us to go down that road," said Dr Tony Calland, chair of the BMA medical ethics committee.
"Doctors have always worked in a patient's best interests and we believe that bringing about someone's death deliberately is a significant step away from the best interest position that we have followed. " "Doctors have always worked in a patient's best interests and we believe that bringing about someone's death deliberately is a significant step away from the best interest position."
However, from October the Mental Capacity Act will allow people to make a legally binding 'living will' to refuse medication, artificial food and fluid - even if they will die as a result.However, from October the Mental Capacity Act will allow people to make a legally binding 'living will' to refuse medication, artificial food and fluid - even if they will die as a result.
Doctors who refuse to carry out a patient's wishes could face prosecution and some doctors believe it is a step towards euthanasia.Doctors who refuse to carry out a patient's wishes could face prosecution and some doctors believe it is a step towards euthanasia.
"What concerns me is that the major proponents of living wills are the pro-euthanasia groups," said Dr Sarah Gwynne, a Swansea-based registrar in oncology."What concerns me is that the major proponents of living wills are the pro-euthanasia groups," said Dr Sarah Gwynne, a Swansea-based registrar in oncology.
"They see this as the start of patients being able to demand what their doctors do for them. When we get into the realm of food and fluids we are getting into the area where those boundaries start to blur.""They see this as the start of patients being able to demand what their doctors do for them. When we get into the realm of food and fluids we are getting into the area where those boundaries start to blur."
Week In Week Out is shown at 2235 BST on BBC One Wales on Tuesday . Week In Week Out is at 2235 BST on BBC One Wales on Tuesday .