Tom Gordon joins MPs to hear from loved ones of those who had to access assisted dying abroad

Yesterday, MPs on the Assisted Dying Bill Committee, including Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, heard from loved ones of those who accessed assisted dying abroad. The session involved a number of loved ones recount their experiences. 

Tom asked a question around the experiences of palliative care experienced by the witnesses for their loved ones, and whether this could at all make up for the lack of assisted dying legislation. 

Liz Smyth, the witness who answered, made it clear that palliative care simply couldn’t provide equivalent service. She detailed the story of her brother, who used assisted dying in Australia. The palliative care he received was exceptional, but she said did not make up for the fact that he was dying. Assisted dying meant he was able to end that suffering, and that his young children and other family didn’t need to see him go through intense pain.

Another witness talked about their experiences, with multiple family members either die from suicide after terminal diagnoses or access assisted dying. Pat Malone said that the problem with the legislation is that it is long overdue. “We’re not rushing into it, we’re at the back of queue.”

Commenting, Tom said: 

“Hearing from families of those who have had to access assisted dying abroad today was incredibly powerful and reminded the committee why we are here scrutinising this legislation.

“Today was incredibly moving. We heard the real stories that underlie the need for this legislation, to give people the power over their own lives in their last days. I want to thank all the witnesses who came today. The evidence they provided is absolutely invaluable to those of us sitting on the Committee.”

ENDS