Assisted Suicide is on the agenda at a special conference to be held in Yorkshire (Harrogate) this year.
Saint Michael’s Hospice, based at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate, is holding a conference this April exploring how changes in the law around assisted suicide could affect end of life care for people in this country.
Speakers lined up to contribute to the discussion include prominent campaigners such as Yorkshire’s Debbie Purdy, representatives from pressure groups, including Dignity in Dying and Care Not Killing, and prominent writers on the subject.
Chief Executive of Saint Michael’s, Tony Collins, said:
Assisted Suicide is never far from the headlines and is a topic that affects how end of life care is delivered in this country.
Therefore we believe it is important to facilitate opportunities for balanced and informed discussion on the subject.
We hope this conference will offer such a forum and therefore potentially contribute to society’s thinking on the topic.
Health and social care professionals, charity workers, faith leaders and academics are just some of the groups of people who have been quick to snap up places for the event.
With tickets selling fast, Saint Michael’s is urging people interested in taking part to book now or face the possibility of missing out.
Delegates will have the chance to listen to speeches from six speakers offering diverse views on assisted suicide.
They will also get regular opportunities throughout the day to question the panel of speakers and contribute to discussion on the topic.
Tony added:
At the very heart of what we are about at Saint Michael’s is the patient. “More than that we are driven by the unique journey of each individual we travel alongside, which is inevitably going to have its own questions and its own reasoning.
We feel it is the responsibility of Saint Michael’s to contribute to those discussions and to share those journeys when we are able to do so. To share meaningfully is to share openly – listening carefully, open to challenge and surprise.
The charity is running the conference as part of its commitment to increasing knowledge and understanding around issues that affect the end of life care for people living with terminal illness.
It is the second in the series, which saw more than 70 people gather in Harrogate last year to consider the subject of faith and end of life care.
The Assisted Suicide conference will take place on Tuesday April 24, at the Pavilions of Harrogate, The Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.
Ticket are £65 and can be purchased from Saint Michael’s by telephoning (01423) 856 790 or emailing education@saintmichaelshospice.org
