The Salvation Army concerned about loopholes in euthanasia legislation

By RNZ

The Salvation Army is dismayed by the majority vote for the euthanasia referendum, saying that people will die unnecessarily because of it.

Preliminary results show that more than 65 percent of the public votes in favor of the law.

Lynette Hutson of the church organization said the most vulnerable people in society would feel pressured not to be a burden to their families and would choose to end their lives unnecessarily.

“We would really regret that people feel a burden and need to make that decision very quickly.

“While [if people were] time to think, time to listen to others who say ‘no, there are other options for you’ [it] it would make a difference. “

Hutson said the government should increase funding for end-of-life care so that people feel supported and not pressured into euthanasia.

He said the government must close what it believes are loopholes in the legislation.

He said there are not enough safeguards, including an inadequate “cooling off period”, without independent witnesses or controls to ensure that people do not feel pressured.

“The devil is in the details, how the regulations around this are implemented and how more safeguards are incorporated.

“Because right now it certainly doesn’t seem like there are enough safeguards for those who are vulnerable.”

Doctors say that great care must be taken in establishing and managing the system in which euthanasia will take place in this country.

Vulnerable at risk

Family First says the success of the assisted death bill will put some vulnerable people at risk.

Spokesman Bob McCoskrie said support for the law change waned as the debate progressed.

He said that many people did not realize that there are a number of options that people have in their final days, such as turning off life support, refusing treatment, increasing pain management, and DNR orders.

Meanwhile, a top quality control officer said that the law legalizing euthanasia is shrouded in so much secrecy that it will be difficult to know if someone has been pressured to end their life.

Auckland lawyer Grant Illingworth said two doctors must approve someone’s death request, but they don’t need to make sure the person hasn’t been pressured.

He said the regulations do not require doctors to make sure there is no coercion on a patient.

The chairman of Risky Law New Zealand said the law will compromise the ability of doctors to show undivided care and compassion to patients.

Dr. Peter Thirkell said the lack of safeguards remains a major concern, particularly where patients already feel a burden to others.

The group is calling on the government to fully fund palliative and hospice services so that intentionally killing some people in vulnerable circumstances is unnecessary.

Doctors for guidance

Royal College of General Practitioners President Dr Samantha Murton said her organization took a neutral stance on the issue of euthanasia and doctors have a variety of opinions.

It said it would help its members understand their legal obligations and that the system should be easy to follow.

“The way the process is going to work has to be very obvious and very formatted so that people are very clear about what to choose.

“Patients need to be very clear about who is eligible and who is not.

“I think there should be clarity for both the population and practitioners who can be asked and then a very clear process on how it can work.”

The final results of the referendums on euthanasia and cannabis are due to be presented next Friday.