A mother who helped her own son to commit suicide has thrown her weight behind a bid to give terminally ill patients the right to die.
Heather Pratten, of Bristol Close, Rayleigh avoided jail in October 2001 after admitting helping her own son Phillip Goodman, who had an incurable form of Huntingdon's disease, to die. The trial judge said her case was "exceptional".
Heather Pratten Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
Now she is supporting a new Private Members' Bill put forward by Lord Joel Joffe to legalise patient assisted dying.
Mrs Pratten said: "I agree with this Bill and give it my wholehearted support. It would have been very useful in my case if it had been law. I think the case of Diane Pretty has highlighted this issue to the public and most people support new rights for euthanasia.
"It is time for the law to catch up with public opinion."
Under the proposed legislation an adult suffering from terminal illness would need two doctors to confirm their diagnosis, and the medics would have to consider alternatives to suicide - such as hospice care.
Patients would then have to make a written declaration that they wanted to die, witnessed by a solicitor. After the declaration, there would be a waiting period so patients can give more thought to the decision.
Published Monday, February 24, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article