Dear Friend,



This week, Dignity in Dying launched a new and groundbreaking research report - Time for Choice: The truth about the UK’s ban on assisted dying
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The report reveals new data that exposes the failures of the blanket ban on
assisted dying and contrasts it starkly with international evidence of safe,
compassionate laws. Together, it makes an inarguable and urgent case for reform.
That’s why it is vital that you email your MP
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Our report reveals that:



* The average cost of travelling abroad for an assisted death in Switzerland
has increased to £15,000, a staggering 50% in 5 years. This option is out of
reach for the majority of people in England and Wales.
* In the absence of choice, dying people are ending their own lives - our
research reveals this is happening even when people have access to specialist
palliative care.
* Over half of people in England and Wales know a loved one who has suffered at
the end of life.

Time for Choice shows that where assisted dying is legal end-of-life care
becomes safer and more compassionate. The suffering and anxiety that dying
people and their families face under a blanket ban on assisted dying is replaced
by the comfort and reassurance of having choice and control. The findings are
crystal clear: the ban on assisted dying is unsafe, unfair, and unregulated .

{USER_DATA~FIRST NAME~FRIEND}, WILL YOU TELL YOUR MP ABOUT THIS GROUNDBREAKING
RESEARCH, BY SENDING THEM A QUICK EMAIL?
I'll email my MP now >>
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Whilst there is a ban on assisted dying in the UK, many dying people are forced
to take matters into their own hands, often in violent ways. To protect their
loved ones from prosecution, many dying people end their lives alone. This is
unsafe and cruel. In Australia, dying people are able to have these
conversations in the open. They’re able to die peacefully with their families by
their side.



“It took her 15 long days of suffering for her to die. This terrible experience
left our family traumatised. Sadly, we came to realise that the very best
palliative care she had received at the hospice could not in itself have
prevented her suffering.” - Danny, whose wife Alison died of head and neck cancer in the UK in 2021


“It is not easy to lose someone dear to you. Stephen and I had been together for
35 years. But perhaps my account of the process helps you understand that it was
a very peaceful, calm, safe environment for someone to end their life. People
are already dying. Let them die with dignity.” - Lisa, whose husband Stephen had an assisted death in Australia in 2021



Whilst assisted dying is illegal in the UK, compassion is outsourced to
Switzerland, but only for those who can afford it. This isn’t regulated. Since
they legalised assisted dying, Australian membership of Dignitas has decreased
and most people who have an assisted death do so at home. If they can have this
choice, why can't we?

IT TAKES JUST 2 MINUTES TO EMAIL YOUR MP, {USER_DATA~FIRST NAME~FRIEND}, AND
IT’S THE MOST IMPACTFUL THING YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE CAMPAIGN RIGHT NOW.
I'll email my MP now >>
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It’s vital MPs read this research so they, like you, understand that doing nothing is not an option. The UK must
change the law to allow dying people the choice of an assisted death. There is
now evidence from all over the world that assisted dying laws are popular and
work well. If Westminster chooses to continue to ignore this evidence, MPs
should be well aware that voters will not.



Best wishes,



Sarah Wootton
Dignity in Dying Chief Exective



P.S. This new research is already making an impact, with coverage across the media
including The Times
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