Assisted dying campaigner Noel Conway ‘heartened’ after meeting minister

Mr Conway, 71, lives with motor neurone disease, which has been gradually diminishing his quality of life. For years the retired educator from the West Midlands has campaigned for the right for people who are suffering with degenerative illnesses to end their own lives humanely in the UK.

He attended a Zoom meeting last week with the Mr Hancock, and his own Shrewsbury MP, Daniel Kawczynski.

Mr Kawczynski, who previously opposed making assisted dying legal but was convinced to support the cause after meeting with Mr Conway and his wife Carol, said he was working with a cross-party coalition of MPs to gather support for a vote to allow assisted dying in this country this year.

Mr Conway is being cared for at his home in Garmston, between Ironbridge and Shrewsbury.

He says he wants the right to determine his own future without the danger of breaking the law.

He said: “I was very grateful to the Secretary of State for taking the time to speak to me and my MP, Daniel Kawczynski.

“Mr Hancock listened attentively and sympathetically as I explained the stark options I face under the ban on assisted dying if I want to avoid a prolonged, traumatic death from motor neurone disease.

“I could travel to Switzerland for an assisted death, but this is virtually impossible under lockdown.

“I could stop using the ventilator I am dependent on to breathe, essentially dying by suffocation.

“Or I could take my own life, requiring help from my loved ones and putting them at risk of prosecution, which I simply cannot contemplate.

“I explained to Mr Hancock that I am not alone, that terminally ill people across the country are grappling with the same unimaginable choices while knowing a more compassionate, safe alternative has been proven to work in countries around the world.

“It was heartening to hear Mr Hancock was aware of these international developments, including in Ireland where an assisted dying bill is being considered, and that the views of many in Parliament are changing.

“I was also encouraged by Mr Hancock’s comments in the Commons in November, on the need for Government to have more information on the full impact of the current law on those with terminal illnesses and their families.

“I hope other MPs and cabinet members will also take the time to hear from those of us who feel the effects of this cruel law most keenly.

“When my own MP, Mr Kawczynski, did so, his mind was changed unequivocally, and I am sure other Parliamentarians would similarly conclude they can no longer stand by a law that causes so much suffering.”

Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: “We commend the Health Secretary for meeting with Noel and showing leadership on assisted dying.

“It is essential Parliament has an accurate and up-to-date picture of the full impact of the current law, and that includes listening to people like Noel who know first-hand that it simply does not work.

“In the Commons this week, the Health Secretary rightly emphasised the importance of patient safety in relation to the UK’s current law on assisted dying.

"Mounting evidence shows the law is unsafe and unfit for purpose, and now that Dignitas is no longer an option for dying Brits, there is a real possibility we could see more people resorting to ending their own lives in traumatic ways or suffering against their wishes.

"There is now growing recognition across Parliament that the ban on assisted dying does not work, that it merely drives the practice overseas and underground with disastrous consequences for British families.

“Compassionate, safe assisted dying laws are already in place in states across the US and Australia, with New Zealand implementing a law in the coming months and Spain and Austria likely to follow suit over the next year.

"It is more incumbent than ever on the UK to review our outdated legislation and hold an inquiry into the options for a new British law on assisted dying.

“In the meantime, Dignity in Dying is uncovering what is really going on under the blanket ban.”