Letters
ONS data on suicide among terminally ill people
Suicides of terminally ill patients should inform the debate on assisted dying
BMJ 2022; 377 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1332 (Published 30 May 2022) Cite this as: BMJ 2022;377:o1332- Timothy Howard, retired general practitioner
- Wimborne, UK
- timhoward767{at}gmail.com
The rapid responses from eminent palliative care physicians to the story on the Office for National Statistics analysis of suicide by those with severe illness1 are entirely predictable, given their blanket opposition to assisted dying. Despite this, the report undoubtedly adds to growing knowledge of the consequences of a ban on assisted dying.
It is hardly rational to try to dissociate increased suicide rates among terminally ill people …
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