Humanist Society celebrant Susan Macleod: working in palliative care and cancer diagnosis shaped my belief in assisted dying
November 19, 2024
Susan McLeod is a Humanist Society Scotland celebrant. She is also a nurse with experience working in palliative care. She explains how that role, and her recent breast cancer diagnosis, shaped her commitment to end-of-life choice.
As a nurse with over 25 years of experience, including more than 10 years in palliative care, I believe we should all have autonomy over our lives. This belief has been shaped by my nursing experience, assisting families plan funeral and memorial services as Humanist Society Celebrant, and my own diagnosis of breast cancer, for which I’m currently receiving treatment.
During my career I have nursed many people towards and through their death. For the vast majority of those people palliative care was very effective. They died peacefully, comforted by staff, family, and friends. They were free from physical, emotional, or psychological pain. Their needs were met and those left behind could take comfort that their life ended as well as it could. Dying is as natural as living and a “good death” is what we would all wish to have.
For me, providing the option of assisted dying alongside effective palliative care is the right decision made for the right reasons, and will reduce suffering.
There are, however, some patients who die in physical or mental distress, regardless of the medication, support, or care provided. The phrases “terminal anguish” and “total pain” have been used to describe what these patients experience. In addition to the individual’s suffering, the memories for family, friends, and staff have long-term consequences. It is not the death anyone would choose.
And that’s the important word: “choice”. It should be within our power to say “I’ve had enough” or to plan ahead: “if it gets to this stage, I want to discuss assisted dying” etcetera. Being able to make plans with family and friends, discuss who you want with you in your final moments, and to take those steps openly, legally, and with the correct support and safeguards: these are cornerstones of Scotland’s assisted dying bill.
Around the world, safe and effective legislation has been in place for the last 20 years. This provides a structure for Scotland to follow, and also illustrates some scenarios to avoid. Ensuring that the legal framework is ethical, transparent, and robust is essential to guarantee that terminally ill people are empowered to make an informed decision, free from coercion. Scotland’s assisted dying bill will create a structure which facilitates this.
As humanists we try hard to make decisions based on reason, compassion, and experience. For me, providing the option of assisted dying alongside effective palliative care is the right decision made for the right reasons, and will reduce suffering. We have an opportunity in Scotland to bring autonomy, dignity and control to terminally ill people at the end of their life. It’s the humane choice to make and I hope our parliament grasps the opportunity.
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