What we do
Dignity in Dying is the leading campaigning organisation promoting patient choice at the end of life. We are also a major information source on end-of-life issues.We are independent of any political, religious or other organisation. We are supported entirely by voluntary contributions from members of the public.
We were set up as the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (VES) in 1935 by a group of clergy, doctors and lawyers. Dignity in Dying was the new name overwhelmingly chosen by members at their annual meeting in 2005.
Vision
Ourvision is for everyone to be guaranteed choice and dignity at the end of their life. Palliative care and medical treatment should be patient-led and include a legal right to effective pain relief to help ease suffering.
We want end-of-life decision making to be open and honest, and firmly under the control of the patient.
We want a full range of choices to be available to terminally ill people including medically assisted dying within strict legal safeguards. Such legal safeguards would also protect the vulnerable and remove the conditions that give rise to unchecked euthanasia and "mercy killings".
Empower
Every year hundreds of terminally and seriously ill people contactDignity in Dyingfor advice and guidance on how to retain control at the end of their lives. We work alongside terminally ill people and help themget their voices heard. We can help if your medical treatment wishes, such as those contained within a Living Will, are not being respected.
What we do not do
Dignity in Dying is committed to working within the law in order to change it. We do not provide advice on how to end your life. However we may be able to give you some basic guidance about your rightsat theend of life.
Dignity in Dying does not campaign in relation to children.
Living Wills
As the UK's leading supplier of Living Wills, Dignity in Dying is regularly consulted by the public, NHS trusts, Government bodies and healthcare professionals.
A Living Will is a legally binding document which enables you to set out how you wish to be treated should you no longer be able to communicate your wishes to your health care team.
The Dignity in Dying Living Will is unusual because it is pro-choice. It enables you to exercise the legal right to refuse treatment. It also enables you toconsent tolife-prolonging treatment. While such a request is not legally binding, it is good practice for health care professionals to respect this decision.
Dignity in Dying:
· Promotes patient choice at the end of life
· Campaigns for a change in the law to permit medically assisted dying within strict safeguards
· Believes that a change in the law will give terminally ill people more control at the end of life and enable people to keep living longer than they might otherwise have done
· Wants to see greater openness around the process of dying and better support for doctors and nurses
· Is the leading supplier ofLiving Wills in the UK
1 What was the previous name of “Dignity in Dying”?
2 Why do you think they changed the name?
3 Who do they believe should make decisions about end-of-life treatment?
4 What do they campaign for which is not currently permitted?
5 What is a Living Will?