Discussion Ireland: Psychiatrists oppose proposed new law on assisted suicide

[Depressed Cat]

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (which represents about 1000 practising psychiatrists in the country) has come out strongly against a proposed new law (the Dying with Dignity Bill), saying that a dignified death is possible with good palliative care.

Psychiatrists come out against assisted dying Bill in new paper

A dignified death is possible with good palliative care, College of Psychiatrists says

www.irishtimes.com

Psychiatrists group raises concerns with assisted dying bill

The group is concerned that it will be introduced for people with terminal illnesses, but that it will then be “applied more broadly”.

www.thejournal.ie

Psychiatrists issue stark warning over assisted dying legislation

Special Oireachtas committee due to examine the Dying with Dignity Bill (2020) in the new year

www.irishexaminer.com

My take is that the Irish psychiatrists need to abandon their outdated and inhumane views on euthanasia and assisted suicide. In any case, the proposed Bill does not include mental illnesses, only terminal physical illnesses. Palliative care is simply not a good enough solution for many and doesn't help much in their prolonged suffering and misery.

While those who choose palliative care may continue to receive it till their natural end of life, those who wish to end their intolerable pain and suffering have every right to die with dignity in a peaceful manner at a time of their own choosing.

Instead, the Irish psychiatrists would do well to take a look in the mirror at their own profession and find out why rates of mental illness are increasing and why they are not able to prevent the mentally ill from committing suicide.

 

[deflationary]

"we believe that there will be unintended consequences, such as an increase in the numbers requesting euthanasia or assisted suicide,"

So? Where do they give the reasons for why that's a bad thing? They left that bit out.

"if a right to assisted dying is conceded, there is no logical reason to restrict this to those with a terminal illness."

Agreed there at least.

 

[life_goes_on]

I just hope things will change in a not to distant future and I'll make it until then.

If bipolar depression doesn't make me ctb until I'm old, and if I show signs of Alzheimer's, I hope this will qualify for assisted suicide in my country.

 

[Onthe29th]

Psychology is a field that I believe is constantly evolving but people are resistant to change which is why it takes an insane amount of time for change to happen. For suicide was just decriminalized in England when I was maybe 4-5 years old. It's going to take a very long time for the old doctors to retire and new psychiatrists that are taught more updated content to take over the majority of the practitioners in the field most likely….or that could just be me being pessimistic.

 

[GentleJerk]

Hey c'mon now, people need to earn a living. They have a lot of special meds for dying people who might want a quick peaceful exit, why not just suffer a slow, drawn-out painful death and give 'em a chance!

You might even get some brownie points with the big guy upstairs.

 

[Julgran]

Well, if people are allowed to end their life, their stock of patients will decrease. Therefore, their own self-preservation as psychiatrists is at stake here - that's why they are worried.

 

[Sherri]

Most countries won't ever accept that, specially Ireland being such a religious country. Same as mine.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (which represents about 1000 practising psychiatrists in the country) has come out strongly against a proposed new law (the Dying with Dignity Bill), saying that a dignified death is possible with good palliative care.

Psychiatrists come out against assisted dying Bill in new paper

A dignified death is possible with good palliative care, College of Psychiatrists says

www.irishtimes.com

Psychiatrists group raises concerns with assisted dying bill

The group is concerned that it will be introduced for people with terminal illnesses, but that it will then be “applied more broadly”.

www.thejournal.ie

Psychiatrists issue stark warning over assisted dying legislation

Special Oireachtas committee due to examine the Dying with Dignity Bill (2020) in the new year

www.irishexaminer.com

My take is that the Irish psychiatrists need to abandon their outdated and inhumane views on euthanasia and assisted suicide. In any case, the proposed Bill does not include mental illnesses, only terminal physical illnesses. Palliative care is simply not a good enough solution for many and doesn't help much in their prolonged suffering and misery.

While those who choose palliative care may continue to receive it till their natural end of life, those who wish to end their intolerable pain and suffering have every right to die with dignity in a peaceful manner at a time of their own choosing.

Instead, the Irish psychiatrists would do well to take a look in the mirror at their own profession and find out why rates of mental illness are increasing and why they are not able to prevent the mentally ill from committing suicide.

Meanwhile they put prisioners in the USA in some states on death row with a painless method. I don't wanna go into politics here, but if someone is really guilty and that inmate is truly guilty, a life in prision would be the best punish for someone who hurts a child for example.

 

[xLosthopex]

Are you based in Ireland too?
There was a good debate recently on the Claire Byrne Live show(one of my old psychiatrists actually spoke on it lol) about it
It's divided yes but there are plenty of medical professionals here who are in favour of assisted dying, but anyways the proposed legislation is still very conservative anyway, ie it's only going to be available for people who are literally about to drop dead from a terminal illness, not the likes of the law they have in Belgium and Switzerland unfortunately

 

[Depressed Cat]

Are you based in Ireland too?
There was a good debate recently on the Claire Byrne Live show(one of my old psychiatrists actually spoke on it lol) about it
It's divided yes but there are plenty of medical professionals here who are in favour of assisted dying, but anyways the proposed legislation is still very conservative anyway, ie it's only going to be available for people who are literally about to drop dead from a terminal illness, not the likes of the law they have in Belgium and Switzerland unfortunately

Nope, I'm not in Ireland. I'm in a different continent altogether.

It's good to know that there are plenty of medical professionals in Ireland who are in favour of assisted dying. It really is very inhumane to keep a person who is suffering unbearably in that state till the natural end of life.

It's a bit disappointing that the proposed new law will only apply to those terminally ill who are on their deathbeds, but at least it's a much needed start! There's always hope that once the law is passed, it can be amended in the future to include more categories of people.

 

[diyCTB]

Less clients patients = less demand for business treatment