Want to make a submission to the Health Select Committee on the investigation into ending one’s life in New Zealand, but not sure where to start? Carolyn Moynihan, a journalist who supports the work of NZHPA, has written this excellent submission: 8 November 2015 Submission on: The investigation into ending one’s life in NZ To: The Health Select Committee From: Carolyn Moynihan I wish to make the following general comments: …Read More
By Michael Cook Because media coverage of suicide could easily lead to copycat suicides, in 2008 the World Health Organization issued a long list of guidelines for journalists. It advises them to: “Avoid language which sensationalizes or normalizes suicide, or presents it as a solution to problems”, “Avoid providing detailed information about the site of a completed or attempted suicide”, and to “Show due consideration for people bereaved by suicide”. …Read More
Fourteen month old, twin Iraqi boys suffering from a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative disorder have died after the UK High Court ruled that doctors could switch off their life support against their parents’ wishes. In line with decisions made in similar cases, Justice Holman considered that the suffering and complications the boys experienced as a result of both their condition and the artificial ventilation, made prolonging such treatment “not only …Read More
Dr Catherine Hallagan, Chair NZHPA General Practitioner, Wellington Many health professionals will have recently received an invitation from their professional organisation to participate in an online survey regarding “physician-assisted dying”. The research approved by the University of Auckland’s Human Participants Ethics Committee (UAHPEC) appears to have process and methodology flaws that should be of concern to all health professionals who were asked to participate. First, the source of funding for …Read More
According to the 2014 Annual Report by the Netherlands’ regional euthanasia review committees, there were 5,306 reported cases of assisted dying in 2014, a 10% rise on the previous year, and double those reported in 2009 (2636). A spokesman for the review committees said that the increase may be due to a growing social acceptance of euthanasia. On this shift in public opinion, Professor Theo Boer – a member of …Read More
The Health Select Committee at Parliament is holding an investigation into Ending One’s Life in New Zealand. It will investigate: 1. The factors that contribute to the desire to end one’s life. 2. The effectiveness of services and support available to those who desire to end their own lives. 3. The attitudes of New Zealanders toward the ending of one’s life and the current legal situation. 4. International experiences. The …Read More
NZHPA is very pleased that the Royal College of General Practitioners in England is opposed to the Legalisation of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. NZHPA hopes that health professionals here will follow the example of the RCGP. It believes that the medical and nursing professions should be united in rejecting any moves to legalise Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in New Zealand. Read about the RCGP’s position in the link below: http://pjsaunders.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/rcgp-maintains-its-strong-opposition-to.html The author of the BlogSpot is Dr Peter Saunders a Kiwi doctor who studied at the …Read More
Abortion rates are declining in the United States and in New Zealand. The reasons are varied and complex. NZHPA readers will find the statement below is relevant when they reflect on the drop in abortion numbers. The statement was made by Richard M. Doerflinger in Public Discourse on Feb 10th 2014. He was commenting on the American situation but the explanation can also be applied to Aotearoa – New Zealand. Maybe this is all pretty simple after all: if you want fewer abortions, oppose abortion; …Read More
Here is the official Declaration from the ICPCN (International Children’s Palliative Care Network). It outlines the Network’s opposition to the Euthanasia of Children. Legislation to this effect was passed by the Belgian Parliament on 12th Feb 2014. THE ICPCN MUMBAI DECLARATION 2014 We believe that all children (neonates, children and young people) have the right to the best quality of life. When they have life-limiting conditions they have the right to high quality palliative care to …Read More
Swedish Nurse takes a Stand on Conscience Rights: Read about this midwife who believes that health professionals must be allowed to refuse to assist at abortions. http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/swedish_nurse_takes_a_stand_on_conscience_rights