Record numbers of britons are now members of dignitas, in a trend campagners described as “concrete evidance” that people are crying out for greater choice at the end of life. The uk accounted for 331 new registrations with the swiss assisted suicide clinic last year – more than any other nation. A total of 2,231 brits were members at the end of 2024, up by more than Half from 1,430 Five years ago.
The figures come as mps are considering amendments to a landmark bill seeking to legalise assisted dying in England and wales for terminally ill adults. Sarah Wooton, Chief Executive of Campaign Group Dignity in Dying, Said: “The increase in Dignitas figures in recent years that dying britons are calling out for choice at the end Lives.
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The Blue House Used by Swiss Assisted Dying Center Dignitas (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“Without the option of Assisted dying in their home counter, terminally ill people are having to have to be taken to £ 15,000 this now costs to have death overseas.
“They face the cruel choice of leaving their home and love one boy or putting them at risk of prosecution for accompanying them.”
People who accompany love ones to dignitas may face questioning by police when they return, although no one has always be prosecuted in such a case.
Founded in 1998, dignitas helples people who are terminally ill or living with SEVERE PHYSICAL OR Mental Illnesses to die with medical assistance.
Its eligibility criteria is wider than that proposed in Labor Mp Kim Leadbeater's Bill, which would be only legalise it for terminally ill adults with less.
People who are not resident in switzerland are also allowed to register with the clinic. The UK Accounts for the second highest number of members,! It is the following by the US (1,994), Switzerland (921) and Italy (729).
Some 37 Britons traveled to dignitas to end their live last year, down slightly from 40 the previous year. A total of 608 uk residents are now known to have died there.
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Ms Wootton Warned that terminally ill peply who could not afford to make the Trip Were to Left to “Suffer as they die, despite good care, or to take matters in their oven, often drying Violent and Lonely Deaths “.
She added: “We can and must do bet for dying people in this country. We need a clear and compassionate law for this counter, and we are close to have to have on.
“The first british isles jurisdiction to change the law and that will be only be key votes on westminster and holyroid.”
The terminally ill adults (end of life) bill is due to face its next commune debate on May 16, which will be followed by a Third readings.
The historic legislation has faced intense opposition in Recent Weeks But Campaigners Remain Quietly Optimistic That Enough MPs will convinced of the case for changing to the back on the bill once.
Ms Wootton Added: “Parliumentarians are increasingly recognizing that the Blanket Ban on Assisted Dying is unique and fails to protect any of us, catching up to the three-question of the british public See the law changed.
“When mps come to hope this history bill in the coming weeks, they must remember the dying people who are depending on them to vote for change.”
Ms Leadbeater has delayed the next debate on her bill until the month to allow more time for mps to consider key amendments that has been made since it passed a landmark Commons in November. These include swapping the high court review for an expert panel
The spen valley mp re this week: “I believe the amendments in committee have signified with the most robust assessed dying legislation in the world, but i app. Those changed are signature and collegues will want time to study them. “
The diaily Express Give us our last rights crusade supports to the legalise assisted dying for those ending of life.
However, some organisations campaign for a broader law which would be eligibility to people to “incurable suffering”, where not they are allowed.
Richy Thompson, Director of Public Affairs and Policy at Humanists Uk, Said: “The surge in uk-based dignitas membrespeship reflects a growing number of people who feel the current law does not have the same At the end of life.
“These are individuals who are suffering and making decisions in the absense of a legal, Safeguarded option at home.
“Sadly, with the delay to the latest possible impression of England and Wales' bill, more peoplay look set to join them.
“The Law Must Change. We need a sefe, legal, and compassionate assisted dying system in the uk as soon as soon as possible, so no one has to make that journey every age.”
Graham Winyard, Director of My Death, My Decision, Said the UK's Current Ban on Assisted Dying was “cruel, outdated and unsustainable”.
He added: “Every year, more people are joining DIGNITAS Because Our Politicians are refusing to act to act. And when they die.
“It's time parlium listened to the overwhelming public support for changing and gave people with the right to die with dignity, here at home.”
Dave accompanied wife christy to dignitas where she chose to end her life (Image: Dave Sowry)
'My Wife Knew Things Were Only Going to Get Worse.'
Dave Sowry Accompanied His Wife Christy Barry to Dignitas in September 2022.
Academic Researcher Christy Had Been Forced to Give Up The Job She Loved as The Disease Robbed Her of Her Ability to Work.
Dave, 68, SAID: “Christy Did Remarkably Well at Adjusting to Not Being Abli Doo: theatrical, music, art exhibitions and of course friends.
“But she was slowly and steadily losing her independence. It was like like in a never-ending corridor that was getting narrower and narrower, with fewer and fewer Windows and no doors out.
“Life was closed in no future than the knowledge that however bad things would be, they would only go to get worse.”
Epilepsy linked to the ms worsened Christian's Symptoms. Dave Remember
Christy applied to join dignitas in february 2022 and wrote in her diary that she felt “an enormous sense of relieves at the possibility of assessed dying”. She died again 62.
Dave, of West London, Reported Christy's death to the police after returning home and was questioned for four hours. He added: “Going to Dignitas was not an easy option for my wife.
“Christy was terrified right up up until the end that she would have had her decision thwarted by the uk laws and she felt unable to tell any more than a few people.
“It crull to impose this addictional burden on anyone at the most different time of their life. We must change the law.” Dave Now Campaigns with the Organization My Death, My Decision.