SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

SAVES' committee had the pleasure of hearing Dr Willem van der Minne speak on the issue of 'Voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands' at a lecture convened by the Palliative Care Council of SA on 14th June. An informal lunchtime discussion was also held on Sunday 17th June attended by several SAVES committee members, and invited MPs and medical practitioners.

There was a broad ranging discussion on voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands, including statistical information related to palliative care, general health care provision and the social evolution which has allowed for legalised voluntary euthanasia with appropriate safeguards and monitoring procedures. Arguably Dr van der Minne's personal reflection on his work was the most moving and informative aspect of the discussions.

He told of his role as a general practitioner and how he has infrequently assisted hopelessly ill patients to die according to the law. His practice also includes offering second opinions to other doctors when a person requests voluntary euthanasia. He spoke of the cultural context under which such assistance has been allowed over time, and after much public debate. He maintains that the Netherlands is a country that has always respected the personal autonomy valued and demanded by its citizens on a wide range of social issues. There is 90% support in the community for voluntary euthanasia. Yet assistance is provided within a long-term relationship between doctor, patient and the patient's loved ones, after consultations over an extended period, and after all other acceptable avenues for relief have been exhausted.

Dr van der Minne spoke of his inevitable feelings of sadness at the loss of a patient he has cared for over many years. This is tempered however by the realisation that he can accede openly to an enduring request for a final act of caring, in the face of unrelievable and futile suffering. There is no need for the 'silences', subterfuge or acting 'on behalf of' a patient as must now occur in jurisdictions where voluntary euthanasia must be practiced illegally and therefore covertly.

The relationships that have been forged over time with the family often continue even during funeral arrangements and the longer grieving process. He is heartened when family members affirm his positive role in alleviating their loved ones unbearable suffering, while acknowledging the emotional issues he too must face during a difficult time. It was rewarding to hear such a candid and moving reflection on the role of the general practitioner in the Netherlands.

However I am sure that readers hear and read unsubstantiated and sweeping claims about the Netherlands being on a 'slippery slope' to non-voluntary euthanasia. Naturally these anecdotes are generally unable to be either corroborated or refuted. In response to such claims, a comprehensive article written five years ago is still pertinent today. A short excerpt follows.

John Griffiths, Faculty of Law, University of Gronigen discusses medical behavior shortening life. He argues 'nowhere else in the world are these questions discussed so openly, so systematically, so calmly and thoughtfully, and with such a lack of ideological rigidity as in the Netherlands.' He concludes:

'The idea of a 'slippery slope' from voluntary euthanasia to a general disrespect for human life is, I believe, a canard. The truth of the matter is quite the other way around. Since it came out of the taboo sphere, there has been a steady tightening of the procedural protections surrounding euthanasia (protections that of course do not exist at all in countries where the whole practice is illegal). The situation is not beyond criticism by any means, but it is getting steadily better. In effect, if there is a 'slippery slope' at all, it is not one by which controls that formerly were in place and effective are being relaxed, but just the opposite. The Dutch have moved on from euthanasia in the narrow sense to deal with some related problems. They are bringing behavior that formerly led an anarchic subterranean existence (and in other countries still does) out into the open and subjecting it to effective social control.'

Reference:

Griffiths, J., 1995 'Recent developments in the Netherlands concerning euthanasia and other medical behavior which shortens life', Medical Law International , vol.1, pp 347-386