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...
Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕
Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!
Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫
What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.3% Inside!
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23.7% On top!
What do you think of the new Waikato racing centre proposed for Tamahere?
Early plans for a new 164ha base for the Waikato’s horse racing industry have been revealed, which will include space for harness racing, a retirement village, a small commercial precinct and a residential lifestyle block.
A community information day was held at the Tamahere Community Hall on Sunday where locals and other interested parties got to see early versions of the master plan for Waikato Thoroughbred Racing’s (WTR) new racing and events centre to the south of Hamilton.
What do you think of the new Waikato racing centre proposed for Tamahere? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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