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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dignity in Dying do?Dignity in Dying is the leading campaigning organisation promoting patient choice at the end of life. We are the foremost research body on end-of-life issues from the patients' perspective. We campaign for a change in the law so that a terminally ill person can ask their doctor for help to die within strict legal safeguards. We are also the UK's leading provider of advance decisions. For more information on Dignity in Dying click here Why change the law on assisted dying?Every year hundreds of terminally ill people contact Dignity in Dying to say that they want the right to be able to ask for medical help to die at a time of their choosing. While palliative care can address many of the symptoms of dying, many people want more control over how and when they die. There is lots of evidence which shows that fear from the process of dying becomes a thing of the past when people have the right to ask for medical help to die if their suffering becomes more than they can bear. The evidence also shows that in an open system where people have this right, there is better communication between the doctor and the patient - the patient can discuss all his concerns with the doctor. So people die with all their wishes having been listened to and met. Dignity in Dying supports a change in the law along the lines proposed in the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill (ADTI) Bill which was defeated in the House of Lords in May 2006. The Bill has over 20 safeguards and would not only provide choice to dying people, but would also better protect the vulnerable and give guidance and support to doctors. The Bill only applies to competent, terminally ill adults who are suffering unbearably and have less than six months to live. No one else would have the right to be helped to die. For more information on the problems with the current law click here For more information on the ADTI Bill click here What is an advance decision (formerly living will)?The Dignity in Dying pro-choice advance decision is a legal document which you can use to set out your medical treatment choices if you lose the ability to communicate. In the pro-choice advance decision you can set out whether you want to refuse treatment should you have a serious illness or accident which stops you being able to communicate with your doctor. The decision to refuse treatment by you is legally enforceable and the doctor must respect your wishes. Alternatively some people want to be able to consent to life-sustaining treatment and this is also an option in our pro-choice advance decison. For more information on advance decisions click here
Can you help me die?Dignity in Dying works within the law at all times. Some of the choices which people want to make at the end of life like refusing treatment and making an advance decision (living will) are legal. However, helping someone to die even if they are dying and are begging for help to die is not legal. Dignity in Dying cannot give any assistance to die but we may be able to clarify the law for you and advise you on your rights. For more information on your rights at the end of life click here
How can I get involved in your work?If you would like to support Dignity in Dying or get involved in our work you could become a member of Dignity in Dying, make a donation, or get involved with our campaigning work. To join Dignity in Dying click here To find out how you can help us campaign to change the law, click here
I have more questions - how can I get in touch?If you have not been able to find the answer to your question on the website please get in touch. Click here for contact details for Dignity in Dying
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