Top health boss reignites debate over assisted dying after she spoke movingly about her 57-year-old husband's death
The debate over assisted dying was reignited today after the head of a powerful health body spoke movingly about her husband’s death.
Professor Gillian Leng, chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recounted her husband Paul Cosford’s support for assisted dying while battling lung cancer.
He died in April, aged 57.
Professor Paul Cosford of Public Health England, pictured, wrote to the British Medical Journal while being treated for lung cancer expressing his support for assisted dying. Prof Cosford, who died in April, described the current law as 'inhumane'. He wrote: 'The idea of having an extra vial in the fridge for me to use if I need it is appealing.’
Professor Gillian Leng, chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recounted her husband Paul Cosford’s support for assisted dying while battling lung cancer
Last year, Professor Cosford, medical director at Public Health England, called for a policy rethink and described the present law as ‘inhumane’.
He wrote in the British Medical Journal: ‘The idea of having an extra vial in the fridge for me to use if I need it is appealing.’
Prof Cosford, who had never smoked, said his ‘biggest fear around dying is the lack of control’ and that a prescription to allow him to bring forward his death would mean that he ‘could have more open conversations with our carers about how our lives will end’.
In an interview with The Sunday Times today, Prof Leng spoke about her husband and his views around assisted dying. Prof Cosford had said of the legislation that he was ‘convinced’ that ‘it is time to look at this again’.
The House of Lords is due to vote on the Assisted Dying Bill next year. It was introduced by Baroness Meacher, a former social worker and chairwoman of the campaign group Dignity in Dying.
The House of Lords is due to vote on the Assisted Dying Bill next year. It was introduced by Baroness Meacher, a former social worker and chairwoman of the campaign group Dignity in Dying
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