Assisted dying practitioner from Australia to share expertise with States Members and Jersey healthcare professionals
A British doctor who supports terminally ill patients through the assisted dying process in Western Australia will this week share her expertise with States Members and healthcare professionals in Jersey. Dr Anna Negus, an anaesthetist who works in Perth, Australia and hails from Bristol, UK, will share her experience as a provider of assisted dying to inform Jersey’s Assisted Dying Bill, which will be debated on Tuesday 21st May.
On Thursday 16th May, Dr Negus will speak at a meeting of the Jersey branch of Healthcare Professionals for Assisted Dying (HPAD Jersey), joining Dr Nigel Minihane, a local GP for more than 30 years and a director and former head of the island’s Primary Care Body, at the Jersey Museum from 7pm to 8pm. Interested local healthcare professionals who would like to attend, please RSVP to office@hpad.org.uk. The following day, Dr Negus will speak at a lunchtime briefing at the Société Jersiaise to share her experience with States Members and answer questions ahead of their critical debate.
States Assembly members voted by a landslide in 2021 to support the principle of legalising assisted dying – the first British Isles parliament to do so. This followed a citizen’s jury on the topic which overwhelmingly recommended legalisation. Amendments to the proposition can be tabled over the following weeks. If the proposition is adopted following the debate next month, draft legislation will then be developed for debate by the end of 2025. More than 3,100 Jersey residents have signed an open letter calling for law change on assisted dying that urges States Members to press ahead with reform without further delay.
Dr Anna Negus said:
“In my experience, assisted dying enables people to enjoy the rest of their lives without worrying about how the end will be. The fear just drops away. Many express how grateful they are to have this choice, and to be able to die in their own bed or favourite chair at a time of their choosing, surrounded by their loved ones.
“The vast majority of the public support law change and Australia shows that it is possible for these laws to work safely and compassionately. They make a huge difference not just to dying people, but also to their loved ones who do not have to see them suffer. I am pleased to be able to share my experience with States Members and my peers in Jersey and hope that they press ahead with bringing in a law that will give dying people choice and compassion when they need it most.”
Dr Nigel Minihane said:
“As do most islanders, I believe that the legalisation of assisted dying in Jersey is the right thing to do. The current law forces dying people to suffer against their wishes or take their own lives, both here on the island and abroad. Australia has proven that changing the law is far safer than the status quo and I look forward to welcoming Dr Negus to Jersey to inform this debate so that we bring in a law that works for dying people, their families and health and care professionals.”
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For more information or interview requests, please email Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk or call 07855209809.
