Welcome

Friends at the End is a members' democratic society, dedicated to promoting knowledge about end-of-life choices and dignified death.

Friends at the End is a member of both the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, which links 38 Right to Die Societies in 23 countries, and Right to Die Europe, the World Federation's European Division. Together, these serve globally those working for individual rights to self-determination at life's end.

Government Consultations and Petitions

Friends at the End will be responding to these Consultations, but members are urged to make individual responses.

Consultation on Margo MacDonald MSP Proposed Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill

The consultation can be found here. It is a:

Proposal for a Bill to enable a competent adult with a terminal illness or condition to request assistance to end their own life, and to decriminalise certain actions taken by others to provide such assistance.

Closing date: 30 April 2012

Note: To help you submit a response, we have created a Microsoft Word template to fill in electronically and a pdf template that can be printed out and filled in manually.

We urge all our supporters to submit a response — there will be no shortage of responses from those opposed to the Bill, so every contribution will make a difference. Even if you cannot answer all the questions, please respond to the ones you can. Even responding: "I fully support the intention of this proposed legislation" would be very helpful.

Additionally, you could write to your MSP (and send him/her a copy of your response) and contemplate 'popping-in' to the local surgery to discuss it face-to-face. Also note that responses to the consultation are welcomed from outside the UK.

Closed Consultations

Public Consultation on a Patients' Rights Bill for users of the NHS in Scotland Closed on 16 January 2009.

Proposed Palliative Care (Scotland) Bill Closed on 28 February 2009.

The Proposed End of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill Consultation Document The consultation by Margo MacDonald MSP for her proposed Bill. Closed on 9 March 2009.

The General Medical Council consulted on guidance for doctors on good practice in the care of patients nearing the end of life. Closed on 13 July 2009.

A public consultation on the DPP's interim policy for prosecutors on assisted suicide. Closed on 16 December 2009.