A former NHS ear, nose, and throat surgeon, now serving as a Labour MP, Peter Prinsley, criticized certain House of Lords amendments to the right-to-die legislation as unreasonable.
Speaking in the Commons in favor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, Prinsley shared harrowing accounts of patients enduring distressing deaths. He expressed concerns to The Mirror about potential delay tactics in the House of Lords and called for an extended session to prevent such actions.
Prinsley emphasized the public’s strong support for the bill and highlighted the limitations of palliative care. He stressed the importance of allowing patients the choice of assisted dying if they desire it, citing instances of patients suffering from severe head and neck cancers.
Reflecting on his evolving views as a doctor, Prinsley acknowledged the necessity of considering assisted dying as an option for terminally ill individuals. He criticized the numerous amendments proposed in the House of Lords, labeling some as illogical and aimed at obstructing progress.
The MP urged the House of Commons leader to enable the bill’s passage into the next session to avoid its potential expiration. He pointed out that the filibuster in the House of Lords could be swiftly resolved if the bill were allowed to proceed.
Prinsley noted a group of individuals, including some Lords, who oppose assisted dying for philosophical reasons. He called for transparency in their objections instead of using parliamentary tactics to impede the bill.
Opponents of the bill argue that it may influence societal attitudes towards the elderly, seriously ill, and disabled individuals, suggesting that assisted dying could be perceived as a preferred option. They advocate for high-quality palliative care as a means to alleviate suffering.
Overall, Prinsley emphasized the importance of respecting individual choices and the need to address the concerns raised by both supporters and opponents of the proposed legislation.