End of Life Choice - Referendum

Today in Hurumanu 6 - Power to the People, we were learning about Referendum End of life Choice. WE were looking at the negative and positive effects of making this a new law in New Zealand. 

What is it? About the End of Life Choice Act 2019

The act gives people with a terminal illness the option of requesting assisted dying. 

Parliament passed the End of Life Choice At, but it has not come into force. The Act will only come into force if more than 50% of voters in the referendum vote 'yes'.

Who would be eligible for assisted dying?

To be able to ask for assisted dying, a person must meet ALL the following criteria. They must:

• be aged 18 years or over
• be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand
• suffer from a terminal illness that's likely to end their life within 6 months.
• have significant and ongoing decline in physical capability.
• experience unbearable suffering that cannot be eased
• be able to make an informed decision about assisted dying. 

A person would not be eligible for assisted dying if the only reason they give is that they are suffering from a mental disorder or mental illness, or have a disability of any kind, or are of advanced age. 

Who would be considered able to make an informed decision about assisted dying?

Under the act, a person is able to make an informed decision about assisted dying if they can do ALL of the following things:

• understand information about assisted dying
• remember information about assisted dying in order to make the decision
• use or weigh up information about assisted dying when making their decision
• communicate their decision in some way.

Making sure the choice is freely made

The doctor must do their best to make sure that a person's choice to ask for assisted dying is their own. If, at any time, the doctor or nurse practitioner thinks a person is being pressured about their decision, they must stop the process. A health practitioner is not allowed to suggest that a person consider assisted dying when providing a health service to them.

What would the process of assisted dying be?

REQUESTING ASSISTED DYING

The process of assisted dying begins with the person asking their doctor.

DETERMINING WHO IS ELIGIBLE

The person's doctor and an independent doctor must agree that the person meets all the criteria, which includes being able to make an informed decision about assisted dying. 

If either doctor is unsure of the person's ability to make that decision, a psychiatrist needs to assess the person. If a person is not eligible, they cannot receive assisted dying.

SELECTING THE METHOD AND TIMING

If the person is eligible, they choose a method, date and time for taking the medication.

ADMINISTERING THE LETHAL DOSE OF MEDICATION

At the time the person has chosen to take the medication, the doctor or nurse practitioner must ask the person if they still choose to take the medication. 

If the person chooses to take it, the doctor or nurse practitioner gives it. The doctor or nurse must be available to the person until they die.

If the person changes their mind, the medication must be taken away. 

Pros and Cons - Positive & Negatives?

I think one of the negative is the age limit because there could be kids under 18 who are suffering from terminal illnesses and have no other way and are in too much pain and it's best for them to die peacefully than suffer. 

Do you support it or not?

Personally I don't support this law at all. Because this is not just having an effect on us or those who would be willing to have the End of Life Choice, another big problem would be the doctors or whoever is going to be proving the medication, this is because doctors are meant to help patients feel better or help them from suffering, then making them give death medication it would make them feel uncomfortable and feel bad. 

Another reason why is because The End of Life Choice would just make people give up easily on themselves, some people may suffer from a really bad illness but they are underage then they wait till they are 18 so that they could have the option of getting the End of Life Choice, it doesn't encourage them to perverse and fight for their lives.