Salvation Army survey highlights assisted suicide fears

Research by The Salvation Army has highlighted the fears that people have about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The Salvation Army is calling on MPs in the UK parliament to oppose assisted suicide and protect vulnerable people and secure consistent funding for quality palliative care. A final vote on the Bill is expected on 16 May. Last year, MPs voted by 330 votes to 275 to progress the Bill to give it further time to be considered in greater detail.

The Army's survey, which was carried out by YouGov, found that more than half of people across the UK think that some vulnerable adults could feel pressure to end their life early.

While 78 per cent of people generally support the idea of assisted dying, the majority do not support loopholes in the proposed Bill that would allow vulnerable groups to apply to die.

The research found that 63 per cent of adults think that assisted dying should not be allowed for someone whose primary reason is that they feel like a burden on their families or the NHS. It also found that 55 per cent of adults think that assisted dying should not be allowed for adults who have suffered a mental illness that has affected their physical health, such as anorexia.

The survey also uncovered concerns that legalising assisted dying would put many vulnerable people at greater risk of being pressured into applying to die, including older people (63 per cent), people with a disability (58 per cent) and people with mental health issues (56 per cent).

The research showed strong support for rejected amendments that would have acted as safety measures.

Territorial Leader Commissioner Paul Main said: ‘Everyone agrees that people should have relief and dignity in their final days but this survey shows that the public are concerned that the legislation will not provide that.

‘Even those who support the principle of assisted dying admit that particularly vulnerable groups are at risk of pressure should the Bill become law. Beneath widespread sympathy lies a deep unease about how such legislation could expose the most vulnerable to harm, coercion or abandonment.’

‘Though this legislation stems from a sincere desire to alleviate suffering, we are urging MPs to vote against the Bill,’ he continued. ‘We are gravely concerned that the Bill inadvertently creates a two-tier system of death. It is terrifying to face terminal illness without palliative care but if you cannot access the support that can help alleviate suffering, you may feel you have no choice but to ask for an assisted suicide.’