Send this news story to a friend
Former Irish MEP Highlights Dangers of Europe’s “Demographic Winter” : 25th Jan 10
Kathy Sinnott, former Irish MEP, told ciNews that the EU is moving very quickly towards legalising euthanasia. She noted that in 2007 Fianna Fáil’s ALDE (liberal) political group hosted a conference on the issue in the European Parliament. It’s quite unusual to hold such a meeting at the Parliament, and there was standing room only.
Mrs Sinnott expressed concerns about what’ll happen as the continent’s population ages: “Europe is on the brink of a demographic winter [in] which it faces the financial situation of having a third of its citizens over 65 by 2050”.
She warned that politicians’ love of the European project shouldn’t blind them to the threats to human life and dignity.
The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) launched a national forum on end-of-life care in Ireland in March, 2009, and after extensive consultation and public debate among all groups and regions of the country, its final report will appear at the end of April, 2010. The plan is to set up a National Coalition to advance the vision and action plan emerging from the Forum’s work.
Concentrated effort is still needed to improve the experience of those at the end of life and to ensure their dignity, comfort, security, and psychological and spiritual well-being, said the Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, in her submission to the Forum. Her office has received a large number of complaints over the years from members of the public about end-of-life issues.
Two complaints concerned decisions of medical staff to place “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders on their loved ones’ medical charts. These actions took place, allegedly, without any consultation with the families. Relatives didn’t know what the order meant—whether it concerned cardio-pulmonary resuscitation only, or it involved medication, fluid and nutrition as well. The order traumatised those involved and caused major distress.
The IHF advocates a comfortable and dignified death in all settings, including proper palliative care and an holistic approach. Such care meets people’s needs at a physical level with pain relief but also their spiritual, psychological and social needs. Catholic Ireland. January 13.
Recent Topics
- No Abortion Referendum, Says Harney
- In Final Report, CPA Claims More Older Women Facing Crisis Pregnancies
- HFEA To Be Abolished
- Sex Education Should Promote Marriage - Ofsted
- Deluge of Complaints Leads ASA to Investigate Marie Stopes
- French Senator Pushes Euthanasia Bill
- Criminalising Underage Sex is Constitutional, Court Finds
- Senator Queries Cost of Civil Partnerships
- End of life, Quality of Death
- UK Government Divided over Support for Marriage
- Oxford Team to Use iPS Cells to Study Parkinsons