Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Dr. Death House Calls - Just Dial 6-6-6

Want doctor-assisted suicide in the convenience of your home? The Dutch voluntary euthanasia society plans to create death-mobiles for ill patients who want to die.

-- From "Dutch group proposes 'mobile' euthanasia teams" by The Associated Press 11/16/11

The Netherlands legalized euthanasia in 2001 in cases where patients are suffering unbearable pain due to illness with no hope of recovery.

Spokeswoman Walburg de Jong of The Right To Die said Wednesday the idea is a logical extension of its plan - not approved by the government - to create a clinic for patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out.

The number of reported euthanasia cases in the Netherlands rose 19 percent in 2010 to 3,136. A parliamentary-appointed commission is reviewing current policy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Voluntary euthanasia group plans to set up 'help to die' teams" posted at Dutch News 11/16/11

'Most people want to die at home,' an NVVE spokesman told the paper. The clinic is still on the cards, but will only have a couple of beds for people who cannot die at home, the spokesman said.

The NVVE says only a third of the 10,000 euthanasia requests made every year are actually honoured. This is because the request procedure is complicated and many doctors are not aware of the finer points of the law, the organisation argues.

Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands under strict conditions. For example, the patient must be suffering unbearable pain and the doctor must be convinced the patient is making an informed choice. The opinion of a second doctor is also required.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.