Assisted Dying, what are the issues and options for Scotland?

By Dr Iain C Kerr

Introduction
My interest in death (which was a matter of great concern to the medical director of my Local Health Care Co-operative when it became clear that I was sympathetic to suicide in certain circumstances) began in the early 1970s, after I read of the works of two pioneers in the care of the dying. One was a Swiss-American psychiatrist called Elizabeth Kubler-Ross who was among the first to interview terminally ill patients and who found that many of them had a profound wish to discuss the issues around death and dying. The other was Dame Cicely Saunders who studied how doctors and nurses dealt with patients in general wards who had a terminal prognosis. She found that staff spent much less time with these patients. Therefore those who had the greatest need for communication had the least opportunity to experience it. I tried during my career to be open to discussion of these issues with my patients if they felt it appropriate.

My only experience is in general practice rather than in hospital practice. I prefer to use the term assisted suicide meaning that a competent person has expressed a wish to end his or her life and needs some guidance.

Art and Bioethics: Natural Partners for Collaboration?

By Lawrence Illsley
Sparkle and Dark Theatre Company Sparkle and Dark Theatre Company

The Mason Institute and Wellcome Trust discuss art, bioethics and assisted dying at the University of Edinburgh.

Background
Sparkle and Dark are migrating from London to Edinburgh this August to perform their new show, Killing Roger, at the Underbelly on the Cowgate during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. On this visit, they want to make an impact on the consciousness of the city, not only with the show but also by bringing an exciting public debate about the issues raised in the play to the University of Edinburgh under the auspices of the Mason Institute.