Palliative Care

A palliative care physician says euthanasia is not needed

Michael Cook | 04 April 2012

Here's an excellent little debate between a doctor who supports legalised euthanasia in Australia and one who opposes it. Well worth a look. Hat tip to Paul Russell, of HOPE.

Millions lack access to palliative care, says Human Rights Watch

Michael Cook | 10 June 2011

Tens of millions of people worldwide are denied access to inexpensive medications for severe pain, Human Rights Watch said in a report released earlier this month. The 128-page report, "Global State of Pain Treatment: Access to Palliative Care as a Human Right," details the failure of many governments to take even basic steps to ensure that people with severe pain due to cancer, HIV, and other serious illnesses have access to palliative care. As a result, millions of patients live and die in great agony that could easily be prevented, Human Rights Watch said.

From a doctor who changed her mind

Michael Cook | 09 April 2011

Dr Diane E. Meier is one of America’s leading palliative care physicians. She is Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and is the recipient of numerous awards. She was once an advocate of assisted suicide, but has changed her mind. Here are some remarks she made last month at a community seminar in Vermont.