This week, Kim's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill (assisted dying bill) will be voted upon in the House of Commons for the first time after months of public debate online - writes Sadik Al-Hassan.
The actual scope of the bill is much smaller than many who oppose it feared or those in favour would have hoped for.
It is a compromise but I think perhaps the right one.
Many of you have written to me to express your views on the subject, which has been helpful and I have taken all your comments, experiences and views on board over the last few weeks.
Contrary to what you might expect if you just look at social media, the large majority of those contacting me have expressed views in support of the bill.
After serious consideration, I have decided to vote in favour of this bill on November 29.
I understand the concerns that some people have, however, the bill is not about our individual views, it is about doing what is right; giving everyone the freedom of choice on this deeply personal matter.
That is what I see as the difference between law and faith, law tells us what we can or cannot do as a society but faith helps us choose what is acceptable to us of the options society lays out.
At some point in our lives, most of us have been through the worst possible pain of losing somebody that we have loved and adored.
We all like to imagine that our death will be dignified, with all our family around us as we slip into our final sleep.
This, however, isn’t always the case.
As a pharmacist with nearly 20 years’ experience, I have witnessed first-hand patients go through unbearable suffering, and have seen the turmoil of family and friends who have experienced their loved ones dying in unwelcome pain and distress usually on those raw days after returning medicines into the pharmacy.
The toll it takes is plainly evident, not just on the patient, but the entire family.
I believe that the assisted dying bill will give a small group of people control over the end of their lives, avoiding their unnecessary suffering, and giving them the dignity they deserve.
It will give back control to those who are battling some of the worst illnesses imaginable, offering some reassurance as they face the unknown.
Some might argue that the bill would become a ‘slippery slope,’ encouraging increasing numbers to end their lives prematurely.
I believe that with the appropriate controls, this would not be the case, with only those in the most extreme circumstances eligible.
In society, the law does evolve over time with evidence as we may change what doesn't work, close loopholes or even expand it, I cannot tell you what will happen in the future, only what I believe is the right choice now.
This bill is designed to help support palliative care, not replace it as many have argued.
People will be able to know that they won’t have to go through a long-term struggle of downward health effects if they are terminally ill, giving peace of mind to them and their family.
Most importantly of all, this bill is about choice.
If you’re terminally ill, you can still choose to receive full palliative care until the end.
A system that although not perfect has done amazing work so far supporting so many families at perhaps the most difficult time while the rest of the NHS has crumbled after 14 years of neglect.
I want to express my thanks to those teams, the pharmacies, the hospices, the hospitals and the GP surgeries who have shouldered the work of palliative care and will continue to support so many.
I believe in this bill; this is about people having the freedom of personal choice and the same dignity in death that we have in life.
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