• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Final decision euthanasia patients at Swiss clinic have to make before choosing to end their life

Home> News> Health

Updated 12:35 29 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 12:00 29 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Final decision euthanasia patients at Swiss clinic have to make before choosing to end their life

Dame Esther Rantzen recently called for a change in law to make physician-assisted suicide legal in the UK

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

Warning: This article contains discussion of assisted suicide which some readers may find distressing.

The process of assisted suicide by euthanasia is slowly becoming a more common option for the terminally ill if they can afford it.

The clinics that spearhead the procedure focus on the idea of choosing to die, to avoid months or years of pain caused by an incurable illness.

The idea is that if someone is suffering from an illness that will lead to death, or carrying an unendurable disability, has the choice to put an end to their life and suffering.

Advert

Currently in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland, euthanasia is still illegal. While there's no specific offence for it in Scotland, it is considered illegal and can be prosecuted as murder or manslaughter.

Recently, Dame Esther Rantzen, 83, has become one of the biggest advocates for a change to the law, as she signed up to Switzerland-based euthanasia clinic Dignitas after she diagnosed with stage four lung cancer last year.

According to the clinics, the processes available are painless and fast-acting for patients, passing them peacefully and easily into death.

These clinics recommend that patients consult their loved ones and relatives before going through the process, which also involves offering substantial proof that you are of sound mind and do have a condition that is incurable.

Run by independent Swiss doctors, these non-profit organisations carry out the process in the land-locked European country, with the big three being: Pegasos, Dignitas and Lifecircle.

Advert

Patients must make this final decision before going through the process. (Getty Stock Image)
Patients must make this final decision before going through the process. (Getty Stock Image)

The drug used

They each have different methods of carrying the process out, ultimately giving patients their final choice before passing away.

All three non-profit organisations offer the same drug that will be used for the assisted suicide.

In small doses, it is a sleeping medication, but an overdose leads to sleep, a coma and then the end of respiration, where the heart stops.

Advert

However, there are two methods to choose from, depending on what the patient would prefer.

The cannula method

Lifecircle and Pegasos use this method, where a nurse will insert a cannula into a vein in the arm of the patient, attaching it to a drip with saline solution.

The drug is attached to the drip, but is only turned on when the patient chooses to administer it, and by turning a valve, they will allow the drug to enter their system.

Within 20 seconds, the patient falls asleep, and in just two minutes, no pulse will be detectable, with death being confirmed shortly after.

Advert

The non-profit organisations highlight that this isn't an 'injection' as no-one is putting anything into the patient, as they themselves are choosing to put the drug into their body.

One method takes a lot longer than the other. (SEBASTIAN DERUNGS/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Stock Photo)
One method takes a lot longer than the other. (SEBASTIAN DERUNGS/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Stock Photo)

The drink method

With this method, patients are given a 50ml glass containing a stomach-soothing medicine that stops the body from rejecting the drug when they drink it later, preventing them from vomiting.

30 minutes later, the patient drinks the drug and is put to sleep within three to five minutes, the heart then stops for good just 20 to 30 minutes after that.

Advert

It is reported that the drug tastes horrible in drink form, and patients are given a bar of chocolate to mask the taste.

The differences between the two methods is the time taken for it to take effect, both are painless and dignified, one has a needle, and while one takes five minutes, the other takes over an hour.

Ultimately and most importantly, it is the patient's choice.

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.

Featured Image Credit: SEBASTIAN DERUNGS/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Stock Image

Topics: Health, World News

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Hospice nurse praised for how she reacts when patients see dead relatives in their final moments
  • Olympic officials make George Mills decision after runners square up to each other at end of controversial race
  • 'Death doula' reveals the most common regrets people have at the end of their life
  • Man shares urgent warning following life-changing diagnosis after thinking he was allergic to beer and pizza

Choose your content:

7 mins ago
8 mins ago
14 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 7 mins ago

    Kid Cudi says Diddy blew up his Porsche and ‘messed with his dog’ after finding out he was dating Cassie

    The rapper, real name Scott Mescudi, has taken to the stand to share his side of the story

    News
  • 8 mins ago

    New study uncovers easier alternative to fasting by changing habit for two days a week

    Turns out there are easier ways to shed those pounds

    News
  • 14 mins ago

    Eating common plant extract could prevent bowel condition that five million people live with

    See, eating your greens is good for you

    News
  • an hour ago

    Discovery of 'banned gospel' challenges everything known about Jesus and Christianity

    The text is not recognised by the Catholic Church due to the difference in teachings from the Bible

    News