Dying Doctor wants a choice

CRUISY MEMORIES: Senior citizen Mike Stanton has enjoyed a full life but thinks he should have the choice of how to end it when the time comes

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A doctor's plea for a change in the law over euthanasia is sparking comment from island health providers and calls for debate among residents.

Auckland doctor John Pollock has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and is calling for a change in the law to legalise euthanasia.

He wants people who are terminally ill to have a choice about when they die but the New Zealand Medical Association doesn't.

Island doctors, though, believe it is an issue the community should be discussing so people can make up their own minds about whether to lobby for change.

Rebecca Potts says the matter was discussed at a regular peer group review meeting of all Waiheke doctors on Thursday.

She says everyone agreed the issue was very important but that residents should look at the arguments for and against euthanasia to decide for themselves.

Dr Potts says one way of changing the law is often through a private member's bill submitted by an MP.

"But the law will only change if people really want it to change. Our advice is it's up to the community to decide what it wants, to talk at every level. It's going to have to come from them.

"People have their own, personal opinions. Talk about them."

She says the only control people facing death have at present is through an advanced directive or living will, giving instructions to health professionals about whether to resuscitate.

"But it has no legal sway," she warns.

Waiheke Hospice Homecare manager Mags Macleod thinks the terminally ill can die with dignity under the present law but says there is probably room to look at a change.

She says the role of the hospice is to make the lives of patients and families in its care as comfortable as possible until the end and has no intention of postponing or hastening death.

"It's a criminal act to help anyone to end their lives."

Ms Mcleod says some terminally ill people think they will be a burden on their families and health services but she believes it can instead become a positive time for relatives and friends, giving them a chance to draw closer and resolve any differences.

"One woman I remember said, `I'm ready'. She looked straight into my eyes and said, `I'm ready but my family are not'. But the family could see she was – and in a state of bliss."

Oneroa resident Mike Stanton, 84, doesn't have a terminal illness but strongly believes people should have a choice, and says the current law is "ridiculous".

He says animals can be put down to prevent them suffering so people should have the same opportunity. Mr Stanton says terminally ill people who say they want to die should have to provide legal confirmation they are of sound mind and have included the request in their will, and obtained at least two medical opinions about their condition.

He says so long as people are adequately protected from criminal abuse the law should be changed.

"People should have choices over their own bodies. Like abortion, I don't think euthanasia should be banned."

- Waiheke Marketplace