Medics make two brilliant decisions (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Medics make two brilliant decisions

5:30pm Saturday 30th June 2012 in Opinion By Rev Kevin Logan , Lancashire Telegraph columnist

In a world where leadership continues to sink to dark depths – celebrity tax fiddlers fiddle, politicians become poly-lie-tians and cartoonists draw bankers in robber eye-masks and uniforms with black arrows – it’s wonderful this weekend to celebrate two glimmers of hope.

I know I’ve given medics a rough time recently about ‘unofficial euthanasia’ and the Liverpool Care Pathway, but this morning I’m delighted to pat them on the back for two brilliant decisions.

The British Medical Association gave full support to the independent counselling for women who are considering an abortion, separate from the abortion providers, as at present.

This is great news ahead of the Government consultation on the issue, and encourages us to think seriously about increasing women’s unbiased freedom of choice.

Secondly, the BMA will continue to oppose assisted suicide after rejecting an attempt to neutralise medical opposition.

In doing this they rejected the profession’s own official voice, the General Medical Journal, which called on doctors to end their opposition to assisted dying, as this column highlighted a fortnight ago.

Now, we can pray that our Coalition Government will see the light and act upon BMA leadership. No doubt we’ll be able to encourage them once the consultation opens. Watch this space.

• Though I do still strongly agree with the professors who label the Liverpool Care Pathway as ‘back-door euthanasia’ influenced by economic medical factors, it does have redeeming features.

In cases where death can be proved to be definitely imminent, the pathway does stop unhelpful and painful medical intrusion.

It provides well-tested, best-practice nursing care for a peaceful end, and patients are always offered first-class spiritual support.

My thanks to my Lancaster ‘correspondent Stephen’ for these balanced additions.