In an astonishing reversal, a prominent GP who served as a medical adviser during the inquiry into serial killer doctor Harold Shipman has voiced his support for legalizing assisted dying. Professor Aneez Esmail, once a staunch opponent of the practice, claims his experience with a terminally ill patient experiencing excruciating pain was the catalyst for his change of heart.
A Transformative Patient Encounter
Approximately six years ago, Esmail treated a patient suffering from advanced mouth cancer. Despite receiving high doses of morphine, the man continued to writhe in agony, his breathing compromised and his stomach distended. According to Esmail, the patient repeatedly pleaded, “Just let me die. Let me die.” This heartrending experience forced Esmail to reevaluate his long-held beliefs about end-of-life care.
From Shipman Inquiry to Patient Advocacy
As the sole medical adviser to the public inquiry into Shipman’s heinous crimes, which were facilitated by his position as a GP, Esmail played a crucial role in developing stricter regulations for clinicians. For most of his career, he remained “implacably opposed” to doctors assisting patients in dying. However, his recent patient encounter has led him to believe that the current law fails to protect anyone and that greater regulation accompanying a change in the law would enhance patient safety.
Giving power to dying people means taking it from doctors and shifting further away from a paternalistic medical culture.
– Professor Aneez Esmail
The Assisted Dying Debate Heats Up
Esmail’s change of stance comes at a critical juncture, as MPs prepare to vote on the Assisted Dying Bill next month. While some cite the Shipman case as a reason to oppose legalization, Esmail argues that this is “completely inappropriate and misguided.” He believes that empowering terminally ill patients and increasing oversight would help prevent future abuses within the medical system.
The upcoming vote has also exposed divisions within the government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced his intention to vote against the bill, citing concerns about the current state of end-of-life care. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has expressed her opposition based on her religious beliefs.
The Reality of Palliative Care
Esmail argues that palliative care doctors are already making decisions to administer higher doses of medication to patients in extreme pain, which may hasten their death. However, these practices are rarely discussed openly. He believes that legalizing assisted dying would safeguard both clinicians and patients by making the process more transparent and regulated.
The law is a mess and it doesn’t protect anyone.
– Professor Aneez Esmail
A Personal Mission
Since his transformative experience, Esmail has become a trustee of the campaign group Dignity in Dying. He has written to all MPs, urging them to support the Assisted Dying Bill and emphasizing that greater regulation would protect vulnerable patients. His personal journey from opposition to advocacy has the potential to sway the opinions of lawmakers and the public alike.
The Road Ahead
As the vote on the Assisted Dying Bill draws near, Professor Aneez Esmail’s change of heart has added a new dimension to the ongoing debate. His unique perspective, shaped by his involvement in the Shipman inquiry and his own clinical experiences, is likely to resonate with many. Whether his advocacy will be enough to tip the scales in favor of legalization remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding assisted dying has reached a critical turning point.
