An Open Letter to New Zealanders
Doctors want no part in assisted suicide
We are committed to the concept of death with dignity and comfort, including the provision of effective pain relief and excellence in palliative care.
We endorse the views of the World Medical Association and the New Zealand Medical Association that physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia are unethical, even if they were made legal.
We uphold the right of patients to decline treatment, as set out in the NZ Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.
We know that the proper provision of pain relief, even if it may unintentionally hasten the death of the patient, is ethical and legal. Equally the withdrawal or withholding of futile treatment in favour of palliative care is ethical and legal.
We believe that crossing the line to intentionally assist a person to die would fundamentally weaken the doctor-patient relationship which is based on trust and respect.
We are especially concerned with protecting vulnerable people who can feel they have become a burden to others, and we are committed to supporting those who find their own life situations a heavy burden.
Doctors are not necessary in the regulation or practice of assisted suicide. They are included only to provide a cloak of medical legitimacy. Leave doctors to focus on saving lives and providing real care to the dying.
Join us
If you are a New Zealand doctor and would like to add your name to this Open Letter, please email sineadmairedonnelly@gmail.com with your name, qualifications and Medical Council registration number.
‘Doctors say no’ is an Open Letter to all New Zealanders by doctors supporting the World Medical Association and New Zealand Medical Association position statements that euthanasia and assisted suicide are unethical, even if they were to become legal. doctorssayno.nz...
Poll: Do you think an online casino is a good idea?
Three of the country’s gambling trusts have launched an online casino and sports betting website targeted at Kiwi punters - a move which has stunned anti-gambling advocates.
The New Zealand Community Trust, The Lion Foundation and Aotearoa Gaming Trust have formed an online casino joint venture they say will “protect and grow the essential community funding they provide nationwide in New Zealand”.
Do you think an online casino is a good idea? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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0% Yes
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0% Not sure
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0% No
This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?
What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
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