Campaign welcomes removal of 'despicable and misleading' film promoting assisted suicide

are Not Killing (CNK), the UK's leading anti-euthanasia campaign group, has welcomed the removal of a 'despicable' campaign film, produced by Dignity in Dying, which was described by Hospice UK as misleading and irresponsible.

Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care Not Killing, commented: "We are pleased that following a considerable backlash and pressure from doctors and Hospice UK, this despicable and misleading film has finally been removed.

"Doctors and nurses condemned the film as giving an unrealistic view of what people experience in hospitals and hospices and using scare tactics about what people are likely to experience following a diagnosis of a terminal condition."

In an open letter, the Chief Executive and Chief Clinical Officer of Hospice UK described the film as 'misleading and irresponsible'. Their letter went on to say that, film '…plays on peoples anxiety and fear about end of life, and amplifies these in a picture of care that is inaccurate and distressing. There is no clarity as to what is causing such distress to the scripted depiction and the physical presentation of the patient indicates a lack of personal identity or individual care. The short film is, by no means an accurate portrayal of hospice care. It is a misrepresentation that undermines a strong evidence base of expert care delivered by over 200 hospices, care that consistently brings symptoms relief and comfort to patient's family and carers'. The letter continues to describe the film as 'sensationalist campaigning' and says it should be withdrawn."

The letter mirrored comments made by palliative care doctors, who took to social media to denounce the film. One doctor wrote on Twitter, "I have looked after thousands of dying patients. I have NEVER seen someone die like this. I can't even work out what symptoms they are attempting to portray. This is base, irresponsible scaremongering", while another tweeted, "Err…I have witnessed 10000 hospice deaths in my career…and they don't look like this?"

Dr Macdonald continued: "We hope that those responsible will think very carefully about the sort of material they produce and push out in the future, instead of opting for sensational fake films designed to worry vulnerable people.

"Assisted suicide is a highly complex and sensitive issue that requires a respectful conversation that is based on evidence. This is why looking at the small number of jurisdictions that have legalised assisted suicide, euthanasia or both is so important. What we see in these places is an erosion of safeguards, an extension of those who qualify, improvements to palliative not materialising and vulnerable people feeling pressured into ending their lives. Worryingly we also have anecdotal evidence that removing universal safeguard seems to normalise suicide in the general population, something that merits further research."

If you are affected by any details in this report, and would like to talk to someone, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day see: www.samaritans.org