New doctors’ group challenges medical bodies’ opposition to assisted dying

There is a problem though when campaigning practitioners organise as
a group rather than speaking as individuals with a right to express views
which differ from their governing body. The Healthcare Professionals for
Change group inevitably give the impression that this is a 'breakaway' body
but one where they are nevertheless legitimised by their individual
membership of a professional organisation. It is possibly the first time
that there is enough support now for the group to openly publish names of
supporters on their website. But would it be entirely trusted that the
group are simply campaigning? Should healthworkers be prepared to express
their views to users of health services so that people would have a better
idea of who might be most helpful when dealing with issues at end of life.

I agree with most of their suggested changes (see website) but would
disagree 'that society needs to recognise that dying is inevitably a part
of life'. Of course people know that dying is inevitable, but we need our
wishes about dealing with it to be respected, as they do say. It is also a
bit weasily to call death a 'part of life', whatever the process of
getting there, it is the end of life. Many people are tussling with this
issue, it is possible that trust in healthworkers may be compromised when
practice can be led by their personal values - which may not match the
wishes of individuals at the end of life.