Assisted Dying: 'If anyone had seen what my husband went through, they'd understand'

Campaigner "thrilled" as Manx assisted dying law receives royal assent

A woman whose husband died after a difficult and painful battle with motor neurone disease has welcomed the news that the Isle of Man's assisted dying act has received royal assent.

Sue Biggerstaff's husband Simon died in 2022 at the age of 65; she's been campaigning to introduce legalisation on the Island since.

The law means adults who have lived on the Isle of Man for at least five years, who have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 12 months or less, will be able to request an assisted death.

They must be registered with a Manx GP, have the legal capacity to make the decision, and have it verified by two independent doctors.

"Thrilled": Sue Biggerstaff was delighted and emotional after learning that the Island's assisted dying act had received royal assent - Manx Radio

Sue says her husband would have qualified for an assisted death under the new law.

In the final two weeks of Simon's life, Sue says he was receiving direct pain relief into each limb but he was still in pain because 'his body had started to decompose'.

Simon had also developed open wounds, struggled to breathe, and required constant assistance to ease his pain and discomfort.

Sue believes anyone who is against assisted dying laws would have a change of heart, had they seen what her husband had to go through.

Reflecting on her campaign efforts, Sue says: "It's been a long, hard slog and every time I've done an interview I've relived Simon's death and it's been very difficult but it was worth it. It was well worth it to get where we are".

Listen below:

Meanwhile, the campaign group Dignity in Dying has described yesterday as a 'historic' day for the Island.

It's now hoped that the moves by the Isle of Man and Jersey to legalise assisted dying will lead to change in England and Wales.

The group's Chief Executive, Sarah Wootton, says 'terminally ill people in Douglas and St Helier in Jersey are going to soon have a choice that's denied to dying people just a short journey away in Liverpool, London or Cardiff':

Wider reaction

Another group to welcome the development is Humanists UK, which has campaigned alongside Manx campaigners.

Chief Executive Andrew Copson says: ‘This is a historic day for the Isle of Man, and above all for the terminally ill people and families who campaigned for so long to see it. Terminally ill Manx people will soon have a compassionate choice at the end of life, under strict safeguards.

‘The Isle of Man and Jersey have shown that a safe assisted dying law, with strong safeguards, can be passed in the British Isles. Dying people in England and Wales are denied the same choice.’

Vicky Christian, Organiser of My Death, My Decision Isle of Man, says: ‘Today I feel above all a huge sense of relief. Tynwald made the right decision, and after a long and anxious wait, dying people on the Isle of Man will finally have the choice so many of us have campaigned for.

‘As a humanist, I believe each of us should be able to make our own decisions about the end of our lives, guided by our own values. We are especially proud that the law will cover people with a prognosis of 12 months or less. We campaigned hard for that, because it means people facing a terminal illness won’t be forced to endure months of suffering before they can even ask for help.’

But not everyone is in favour of the change in law. Where demonstrations have been held outside of Legislative Buildings on Prospect Hill in Douglas, campaigners both for and against the legislation have been seen side-by-side.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man Medical Society has shared concerns around what it calls the 'profound risks' around the legislation.

Its concerns revolve around; the protection of vulnerable groups; professional and regulatory integrity; protection of core healthcare services; and implementation and conscientious objection.

You can listen to the full interview with Sue Biggerstaff via the Manx Radio Newscast below: