Poll opened to gauge opinions on assisted dying

Monday 19 March 2018

Ahead of a meeting later this week, a poll has been set up to gauge public opinion on changing the law to enable assisted dying in Guernsey.

Sarah Griffith is arranging the meeting and publicising the poll, to encourage debate on the matter before the States of Guernsey discuss it during an upcoming meeting.

The poll asks a question to establish people's opinions on assisted dying. It gives a variety of possible answers ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. 

Writing for Express on Friday, Ms Griffith said she wants to "expedite the approval of Assisted Dying to happen in Guernsey since there are so many people who suffer terribly at the end of their time on this planet."

She said her opinions have been formed after watching "the devastating effects on family members watching their loved ones suffer so badly" adding that can leave lasting trauma. 

Ms Griffith said she felt compelled to act after watching family members struggle with their health, including her mother who died last year.

The meeting, looking at assisted dying, will be held on Thursday 22 March at Les Beaucamps High School, starting from 19:00.

Ms Griffith will be speaking about her own experiences and wishes alongside Douglas Wilson; who has set up a website supporting the assisted dying debate in Guernsey and Deputy Gavin St Pier who lodged a Requete forcing the upcoming debate which could lead to a wider political discussion on legalising assisted dying in Guernsey.

Pictured: Part of the Requete lodged by Deputy St Pier