Dr. Regina McQuillan:

Deputy Brophy said that if a person refuses medical treatment, he or she will have a very painful death. That is not true. There is a great deal of mythology around how people would die. Most people I care for have a peaceful death. What most people want is not to die now. They want to live longer and better. Refusing medical treatment or life prolonging treatment does not mean one will have a painful death. I want to reassure those present about that.

There is a difference between the two positions referred to. People are not obliged to keep living as long as possible or to take treatment. Patients who are rational and can make up their own minds can decide what they want or do not want. That can be something as simple as not taking an antibiotic where it is recommended by a GP or it can be something much more complex such as deciding not to go to an intensive care unit for ventilation. People can refuse this. If a person knows the consequences of treatment and they make a clear decision, he or she is entitled to do that. People are also entitled to make an advance care plan about what treatment they want into the future. Advance care plans will be more regulated with the implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.

Making a decision that would lead to death is not the same as requiring other people to provide assistance in dying either through assisted suicide or euthanasia. There is a difference between people being able to make a choice about what they want to do for themselves and making choices and engaging other people in things. The autonomy of the person is involved and also the autonomy of family members and health care staff. It is a debate that comes up at different points. It is very well recognised in health care that patients have a right to refuse treatment. We support the right of patients to refuse treatment and we will continue to support that right. I do not think there is any contradiction in the fact we would not support a change in the law to allow for assisted suicide or euthanasia.