At least 25 Scots have travelled to Swiss clinics for assisted dying

Responding to reports from Friends At The End (FATE) that at least 25 Scots have travelled to Swiss clinics where assisted dying is possible, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur said:

“I have spoken with people who have made the sad journey to Switzerland to watch a loved one die and the even sadder journey home alone grieving and anxious that they may face repercussions.  

“I have also met with people who wanted to do so but simply could not afford the cost involved.

“In both cases it struck me that it was simply wrong for dying people and their loved ones to have to face this anguish when a much fairer and more compassionate response would be to be able to have the option of an assisted death here at home if that was their choice.  

“We should not be outsourcing our compassion to another country and I hope that the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill I am bringing forward in Parliament means that we will not have to do so for much longer.”