Warning: This article contains discussions of suicide which some readers may find distressing
Swiss clinic Dignitas is one of the three main non-profit organisations that help to carry out assisted suicide in the country.
Assisted suicide is becoming an increasingly popular method for the terminally ill or unendurably disabled who choose to cut the years of pain and suffering short by ending their lives instead.
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This is done by euthanasia through one of two methods.
Patients can choose between the cannula method or the drink method, though both use the drug Pentobarbital of Sodium.
The former involves a drip and turning a valve when ready to release the drug into their system, which will put them to sleep and kill them painlessly within five minutes.
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The latter involves drinking a stomach soother, waiting 30 minutes, then consuming the Pentobarbital of Sodium in drink form with a chocolate bar, as the drink is reported to taste unpleasant - this whole process takes an hour.
Dignitas administer the drinking method at the organisation, and also detail what you must do to register for an assisted suicide at the organisation.
Obviously, if someone chooses to pass away by assisted suicide, they must provide ample information and evidence that proves they have the illness or disability that they claim to have to the independent Swiss doctors.
Only when they approve it, can the drug legally be procured and the process can go on.
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But this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is a larger criteria for patients to meet before being approved to undergo the procedure in the European country.
For those who aren't from Switzerland, Dignitas will get in touch with a doctor to better assess the situation, which requires the person becoming a member of the organisation, giving a written request, providing medical information, two face-to-face meetings between the patient and doctors and if successful, the prescription being issued to Dignitas.
There needs to be two people present at the assisted suicide who can testify to the course of events, though the time this happens is up to the patient.
Dignitas also highlights the importance of involving family and loved ones in the process, to give an appropriate time to say goodbye, to carefully prepare and get things in order.
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But in case that wasn't clear, this is what you need to carry the process out.
Requirements for an assisted/accompanied suicide
In order to access the service of an accompanied suicide, the patient has to:
- Be a member of Dignitas
- Be of sound judgement
- Possess a minimum level of physical mobility (mobile enough to administer the drug yourself)
The cooperation of a Swiss physician is crucial in obtaining the drug, so the patient will further need to prove:
- A disease which will lead to death and/or,
- An unendurable incapacitating disability and/or,
- Unbearable and uncontrollable pain.
Other requirements
- A personal letter to Dignitas, where the member asks for an accompanies suicide, including the reason for the request and the person's current physical condition.
- A mini biography, describing the person's family situation, their next of kin, whether they support their desire for an assisted suicide, and if members of the family or loved ones will be there with them, in Switzerland.
- Up to date medical records, which include the case history, diagnosis and suggested treatment for their condition.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
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