Esther Rantzen Says She Is Too Fragile to Travel to Switzerland for Assisted Suicide
Dame Esther Rantzen, 86, the founder of Childline and a well-known broadcaster, is facing terminal cancer and is now "too physically fragile" to make the journey to Switzerland for assisted suicide. After her diagnosis of stage four lung cancer in December 2023, she registered with the Dignitas clinic. Rantzen mentioned that while she was able to fly when her pain was manageable, it became unbearable before she could travel. She described existing laws as "messy and cruel," calling on MPs to back assisted suicide legislation for terminally ill individuals in England and Wales, which is scheduled for a vote on Friday. The bill has undergone scrutiny and amendments, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham promoting enhanced palliative care instead.
Key facts
- Dame Esther Rantzen is 86 and terminally ill with stage four lung cancer.
- She joined the Dignitas clinic in December 2023.
- She stated she is now too physically fragile to travel to Switzerland for assisted suicide.
- She described the current law as 'messy and cruel' and called for it to change quickly.
- MPs will vote on Friday on a bill to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales for terminally ill people with less than six months to live.
- The bill has been through several drafts and the House of Lords submitted 1,200 amendments.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham will not vote on the issue and suggested better funding for palliative and social care first.
- Assisted suicide is legal in Canada, Australia, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Entities
Artists
- Esther Rantzen
- Baroness Grey-Thompson
- Andy Burnham
- Keir Starmer
Institutions
- Dignitas
- Childline
- BBC
- Parliament
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
Locations
- Switzerland
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
- New Forest
- Canada
- Australia
- Belgium