A Lanarkshire woman whose dad researched ways to take his own life has welcomed a vote by MSPs to introduce a members bill on assisted dying to the Scottish Parliament.
Back in June this year Joanne Easton, 42, from Wishaw recounted the suffering her terminally ill dad had to endure after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She visited Holyrood where she addressed MSPs urging them to back the introduction of Lib Dem Liam McArthur’s proposals for assisted dying and this week they voted in favour.
Joanne’s dad Robert Easton, a retired firefighter, died from pancreatic cancer the day before his 70th birthday on June 21 last year.
Only around one in four people survive more than a year after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Robert, from Hamilton, did undergo chemotherapy but it didn’t go well.
“It nearly killed him,” Joanne told Lanarkshire Live.
Robert refused further chemotherapy and considered travelling to Switzerland where assisted dying is legal, but the cost, potential prosecution, and other issues ruled it out.
He later opened up to Joanne that he had researched ways of taking his own life.
“Some of the methods my dad spoke about were brutal," Joanne said.
“Terminally ill people should not be forced into the woods with a length of rope. They should not need to jump in front of trains.”
Within a couple of hours of the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill being lodged it received cross party support from 36 MSPs, double the amount needed, and will now move forward with a draft bill expected early next year.
It follows a public consultation which received over 14,000 responses with 76 per cent of those in favour of assisted dying.
Joanne is delighted that the Bill is to be introduced after gaining support from politicians from all parties in Scotland.
She said: “I’d like to say I’m overjoyed but that’s probably the wrong word to use given what we’re talking about, but I was.
"To get that amount of support so quickly is amazing. I’d like to hope it shows the groundswell of support that is coming from the MSPs.
“I’m a member of a Dignity in Dying group so I found out about the level of support right away.
“I do feel it’s the right time – we are a nation who can prove that we can be as compassionate to our citizens when they’re dying as when they come into the world.”
Joanne is keen to point out that assisted dying isn’t a substitute for palliative care.
She added: “My dad sold his motorbike and gave the proceeds, around £6000, to the hospice before he died.
“Palliative care will still be there. It’s giving people who are in pain the choice.”
Liam McArthur MSP said: “The support among colleagues has been deeply heartening, and demonstrates the growing recognition that there is a need to end the ban on assisted dying in Scotland.
“The Scottish public has long been ahead of the parliament on this issue. The public consultation on these proposals, published last month, demonstrated that there is strong and passionate support for offering people more choice at the end of their life.
“I now look forward to working with colleagues in parliament to bring forward a safe, robust, and compassionate Bill.
"I remain committed to a process which carefully considers the views of the public, organisations and healthcare professionals, as well as international experience, to craft legislation which is tightly drawn and contains strong safeguards.
“Thanks once more to MSPs who have given support so far, as well as to all those who have taken the time to engage with me and indeed other MSPs over recent months on this issue to share their views.”
If the Bill does become law then two doctors would have to independently confirm that the person is terminally ill and has the mental capacity to make an informed choice without any form of coercion, patients would also have to be physically able to administer any life-ending drugs themselves.
There would also be a reflection period beforehand and individuals would have to be fully informed of other options open to them including palliative and hospice care.
* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
