Ed

Stuff co.nz 28 August 2017
Family First Comment: Care – not killing.
Hospice is often thought of as a final refuge; a place where people spend their last days.
But as the service evolves it is offering much more than that.
Nelson Tasman Hospice’s first palliative medicine specialist Dr Jodie Battley said late-stage care was still a core part of the service, but it was now involved with patients much earlier.
That allowed staff to build relationships with patients and their families.
“The big message is that we can help you live well with limited time, it’s all about quality of life.”
Battley said the research showed that early integration of palliative care with oncology and other services meant better outcomes for people.
“These patients do better in terms of quality of life, symptom control and satisfaction with their care.”
READ MORE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/96076740/specialist-to-enhance-palliative-services-at-hospice-in-nelson

TVNZ One News 10 August 2017
Family First Comment: Oh dear. How sad. Never mind. We will survive  😊
http://www.rejectassistedsuicide.nz
David Seymour’s voluntary euthanasia bill won’t be debated before parliament is dissolved on August 22.
Yesterday was the last member’s bill day before dissolution and it was nowhere near the top of the agenda for a first reading.

NZ Herald 10 August 2017
Family First Comment: Superb commentary. Thank you Simon.
Throughout this term of Parliament it has been my privilege to serve as chair of the health committee. Over the last two years, it has been my responsibility to lead the inquiry into assisted suicide and euthanasia as requested by a petition to Parliament.

I led a group of dedicated MPs from a cross-section of parties in listening to what New Zealanders had to say about this difficult but important subject. I felt it was essential that I maintained an unbiased, even-handed process, though I made no secret of my own personal concerns about the topic.

From the outset, I believed it was important for all those concerned to know my opinion so that they could watch me and ensure that I behaved in a fair manner towards all sides and I have appreciated the statements by MPs and by the petitioner acknowledging my professional impartiality.

Over 21,000 New Zealanders wrote to the committee with their own thoughts on assisted dying and euthanasia. Of those, 944 people spoke to us in person over 108 hours of hearings. This inquiry was the largest ever undertaken by a New Zealand Parliament and was the largest, most public discussion ever held on this topic.

Now that the investigation is complete, now that all of the submitters have been heard, and the report has been written by the health committee as a whole, I feel I can finally say a few words myself.
Before entering Parliament I spent years studying ethics and philosophy at university, particularly around human rights. Some might see these fields as impractical but they prepared me well for this investigation. My extensive readings, lectures, and discussions formed the basis of my objection to assisted suicide.

I entered this investigation willing to hear evidence from all sides and was prepared to consider new arguments if they were presented. Unfortunately, the arguments in favour of assisted suicide and euthanasia are not terribly well-reasoned. They rely heavily on emotional experiences and intense ideologies. These are not the best foundations for building laws, but they are important and they do deserve to be heard.
READ MORE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11900872

Media Release – Hospice NZ 4 August 2017
Hospice NZ has welcomed the report of the Health Select Committee’s investigation into the desire to end one’s life, which was tabled in the House earlier this week.
“We support the committee’s comments urging the Government to find ways to raise awareness of the benefits of palliative care and address equity of access and funding across hospital, residential aged care, community services and hospice.”  Says Mary Schumacher, CEO of Hospice NZ.
“We are aware that not all people are aware of or access palliative care services and therefore may not get the support they need at the end of their lives which has been confirmed by the Committee’s report.”
“Death is still a taboo subject in our society, many people fear discuss death and dying, but in reality, it’s a natural part of the life process.   Preparing and expressing your wishes to family can be hugely beneficial.” Said Ms Schumacher.
“The huge number of submissions the Committee received and considered shows the interest and concern for end of life issues that exists in the community as well as the divergence of opinion on this subject.”
Hospice NZ applauds the process and thanks the Committee for the strong endorsement of palliative care services and suggestions to Government.

NewsHub 2 August 2017
Not a single recommendation has been made by Parliament’s health select committee after hearing more than 21,000 submissions on public attitudes toward legalising assisted dying.
Four in five people who contacted the committee during an investigation of public attitudes toward euthanasia legislation were opposed to the idea.
The committee has spent several years investigating public views toward assisted dying for the terminally ill and those with irreversible conditions, based on a petition by former Labour MP Maryan Street.
In a report released on Wednesday the committee, chaired by Simon O’Connor, concluded any decision on the issue would generally be a conscience vote.
Of the 80 percent opposed to legislation that would legalise medically-assisted euthanasia, the report concluded they were primarily concerned about endangering the public.
“They cited concern for vulnerable people, such as the elderly and disabled, those with mental illness, and those susceptible to coercion,” the report says.
“Others argued that life has an innate value and that introducing assisted dying and euthanasia would explicitly undermine that idea.”
READ MORE: http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/health/2017/08/no-advice-from-assisted-dying-report.html

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Media Release – Care Alliance 2 August 2017
The Care Alliance has welcomed the report of the Health Select Committee’s investigation into the desire to end one’s life, which was tabled in the House today.
“The Committee received nearly 22,000 unique written submissions and heard nearly 1,000 oral submissions,” said Matthew Jansen, Secretary of the Care Alliance. “While eighty percent of those submissions were opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia, the report is a careful and thorough summary of both sides of the issue.”
“We disagree with some of the language and statements in the Report, especially the use of the euphemistic term ‘assisted dying’. Overall, however, we think it is a useful starting point for discussing the issues. It will make sobering reading for anybody who thinks that legalising euthanasia could ever be safe, simple and straight forward.”
“That is why we too ‘encourage everyone with an interest in the subject to read the report in full’,” said Mr Jansen. “It would also be useful if future public polling asked whether respondents had read the report.”
“We extend our thanks to the Committee’s members and staff for the respectful and considerate way they listened to all voices,” said Mr Jansen. “They have heard powerful personal evidence about how we can and should do better to care for each other.”
ENDS

TVNZ One News 2 August 2017
Family First Comment: “Outweighs”?
Yeah – by 4 to 1.
#gameover
After spending more than two years hearing submissions and public opinions on assisted dying, parliament’s health select committee has released its findings without a single recommendation.
Four in five people who contacted the committee during an investigation of public attitudes toward euthanasia legislation were opposed to the idea.

The report comes as Act leader David Seymour’s End of Life Choices Bill is expected to come before parliament, though it’s unlikely to have its first reading before parliament rises in three weeks ahead of next month’s election.
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kiwis-opposition-euthanasia-outweighs-support-in-select-committee-report