RCN Response To Dignity In Dying Statement On Assisted Dying

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Article Date: 30 Apr 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Dr Beverly Malone, General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:

"As the world's largest professional nursing union, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has always listened to and learned from our members, spoken out for nurses and stood up for patients - and we will continue to do so. That's why we find Dignity in Dying's slur that we ignored the views of our members deeply offensive and wholly inaccurate.

"The RCN recognises that many nurses hold differing views on the issue of assisted dying which is why we embarked on an extensive consultation with our members. Each of the RCN's 380,000-plus members was given the opportunity to make their views known through the RCN's Bulletin magazine and via the RCN website.

"We sought the views of members with specialist interest and expertise in our forums, representing more than 50,000 members. We gathered the views of members across the four countries, making use of the RCN's extensive regional network of officers and regional directors, and we consulted with a number of external organisations. (1) In addition, we surveyed more than 1,000 of our members through our Bulletin magazine, 70% of which endorsed our current position.

"During the course of consulting our members, the RCN was lobbied by special interest groups including the Voluntary Euthanasia Society (now Dignity in Dying) and subjected to an external lobby via a postcard campaign.

"Although we have listened to all these different viewpoints, as a member-led organisation we have rightly chosen to base our position on assisted dying on verifiable RCN members' views rather than allowing a serious consultation to be hi-jacked by special interest groups.

"The RCN recognises assisted dying is an emotive issue for our members and we have always welcomed an open and informed debate among our membership. That is why this issue is on the agenda at our annual Congress in Bournemouth this week. The RCN is committed to continue pressuring the government to invest in palliative care and providing better education for nurses and doctors so they can ensure patients can end their lives in comfort and with dignity."

As part of the RCN's assisted dying consultation the RCN sought the views of members with specialist interest and expertise, including members of the Palliative Care Forum, Children and Young People's Field of Practice Groups, the Cancer Forum and the Forums for Older People. The RCN's forums represent more than 50,000 members.

The RCN's directors in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales played an active role in gathering the views of members across the four countries, making use of the RCN's extensive regional network of officers.

The RCN also consulted with a number of external bodies, including the Royal Colleges of Physicians, General Practice and Surgeons, as well as the BMA, Disability Rights Groups and the Patients Association.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

Royal College of Nursing

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