This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8268709.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 34 Version 35
Clarity due on assisted suicide Clarity due on assisted suicide
(18 minutes later)
Guidelines on assisted suicide law in England and Wales will be published later to clarify when people are likely to be prosecuted.Guidelines on assisted suicide law in England and Wales will be published later to clarify when people are likely to be prosecuted.
It is currently illegal to help someone commit suicide, but as yet no-one has been prosecuted for helping a person go abroad to end their life.It is currently illegal to help someone commit suicide, but as yet no-one has been prosecuted for helping a person go abroad to end their life.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC has drawn up the guidance following a Law Lords ruling.The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC has drawn up the guidance following a Law Lords ruling.
He has already said it will not mean assisted suicide will become legal.He has already said it will not mean assisted suicide will become legal.
Instead, he has said he wants to set out when individuals are more likely to be prosecuted or not prosecuted.Instead, he has said he wants to set out when individuals are more likely to be prosecuted or not prosecuted.
More than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die.More than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die.
We hope no-one will be given immunity Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing Staying positive amid suicide bidWe hope no-one will be given immunity Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing Staying positive amid suicide bid
Several of the cases have been looked into by police, but none has led to a prosecution because the authorities have the power to use their discretion.Several of the cases have been looked into by police, but none has led to a prosecution because the authorities have the power to use their discretion.
But earlier this year, Law Lords said Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Bradford, had the right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.But earlier this year, Law Lords said Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Bradford, had the right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.
Ahead of the publication, Mr Starmer said: "It is not easy and there are lots of factors that have to be taken into account.Ahead of the publication, Mr Starmer said: "It is not easy and there are lots of factors that have to be taken into account.
"The basic approach we have taken is to try to bring some clarity, but at the same time to protect the vulnerable.""The basic approach we have taken is to try to bring some clarity, but at the same time to protect the vulnerable."
Mr Starmer said there were a number of key factors that would be considered in a prosecution.Mr Starmer said there were a number of key factors that would be considered in a prosecution.
These included whether the person stood to benefit financially from the death, whether they had encouraged the suicide for reasons other than compassion and whether the person wanting die was considered competent enough to make that decision.These included whether the person stood to benefit financially from the death, whether they had encouraged the suicide for reasons other than compassion and whether the person wanting die was considered competent enough to make that decision.
FlexibilityFlexibility
But Mr Starmer said there would still be a degree of flexibility as every case he had reviewed in recent years had been different.But Mr Starmer said there would still be a degree of flexibility as every case he had reviewed in recent years had been different.
"If we put it in a straight-jacket it will cause more problems than it resolves.""If we put it in a straight-jacket it will cause more problems than it resolves."
The guidelines will come into effect immediately, although this will only be on an interim basis while they are consulted on.The guidelines will come into effect immediately, although this will only be on an interim basis while they are consulted on.
Interview with Debbie PurdyInterview with Debbie Purdy
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the Dignity in Dying campaign group, agreed more clarity was needed.Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the Dignity in Dying campaign group, agreed more clarity was needed.
"This will represent a significant breakthrough in our campaign for greater choice and control at the end of life.""This will represent a significant breakthrough in our campaign for greater choice and control at the end of life."
But Dr Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing, an umbrella group of doctors, religious organisations and charities, said it was a shame the DPP had been forced into this as the current situation was "working well".But Dr Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing, an umbrella group of doctors, religious organisations and charities, said it was a shame the DPP had been forced into this as the current situation was "working well".
"We hope no-one will be given immunity. It is only right that each case is looked into as this acts as an effective deterrent and protects the vulnerable."We hope no-one will be given immunity. It is only right that each case is looked into as this acts as an effective deterrent and protects the vulnerable.
"There is also a danger that the DPP will become a consultancy service for law breakers.""There is also a danger that the DPP will become a consultancy service for law breakers."
'Uncertainty''Uncertainty'
David Witt, from Tonbridge in Kent, who took his wife Elaine to Switzerland to die two years ago when she was suffering with lung cancer, said the lack of clarity had made it difficult.David Witt, from Tonbridge in Kent, who took his wife Elaine to Switzerland to die two years ago when she was suffering with lung cancer, said the lack of clarity had made it difficult.
The 64-year-old said: "[The guidelines] would have helped us a lot. On top of all the physical and emotional problems, there's this uncertainty. You can't tell people what you're thinking."The 64-year-old said: "[The guidelines] would have helped us a lot. On top of all the physical and emotional problems, there's this uncertainty. You can't tell people what you're thinking."
Anyone assisting someone to commit suicide can face up to 14 years in prison under the 1961 Suicide Act, which covers England and Wales.Anyone assisting someone to commit suicide can face up to 14 years in prison under the 1961 Suicide Act, which covers England and Wales.
A similar law applies in Northern Ireland and fresh guidance is also expected.A similar law applies in Northern Ireland and fresh guidance is also expected.
In Scotland there is some uncertainty as there is no specific law on assisted suicide, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide law.In Scotland there is some uncertainty as there is no specific law on assisted suicide, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide law.
A bill is expected to come before the Scottish parliament soon in a bid to legalise assisted suicide.A bill is expected to come before the Scottish parliament soon in a bid to legalise assisted suicide.
Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions