MS Society Responds to Debbie Purdy Ruling

LONDON - The MS Society has responded to today’s Law Lords ruling concerning the case of Debbie Purdy, who sought clarification on the law of assisted suicide.

Debbie, 46, who was diagnosed with Primary Progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1995, wanted to be assured that her husband would not be prosecuted on his return to the UK, if he accompanies her to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, said: “Debbie Purdy’s case has pushed MS into the spotlight but there is far more to living with MS - even in its more severe forms - than planning how to die.

“There are 100,000 people with MS across the UK and most will live about as long as any of us. The key to living well with MS is access to the right care and support, including palliative care when it’s needed.

“Most palliative care resources are focused on cancer and cases like this show why the Government’s end of life care strategy is so important.”

The MS Society

- The MS Society (www.mssociety.org.uk) is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone whose life is touched by multiple sclerosis (MS), providing respite care, an award-winning freephone helpline (+44(0)808-800-8000), specialist MS nurses and funding more than 80 vital MS research projects in the UK.

- MS is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults and an estimated 100,000 people in the UK have MS.

- MS is the result of damage to myelin - the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system - which interferes with messages between the brain and the body.

- For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern.

- Symptoms range from loss of sight and mobility, fatigue, depression and cognitive problems. There is no cure and few effective treatments.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis Society

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