Pensioners, Peter (86) and Christine Scott (80), have chosen to end their lives together in a suicide pod rather than be ‘trapped by infirmity and pain’ in the National Health System (NHS).

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“The chances of getting prompt NHS treatment for the ailments of old age seem pretty remote so you end up trapped by infirmity and pain. I don’t want to go into care, to be lying in bed dribbling and incontinent – I don’t call that a life…

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Finally, the Government swoops in to take your savings and your house to pay for it all.” Peter told reporters. 

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The couple who live in Melik, Suffolk, have had a long “fulfilled” life together, but Peter added that “old age”  “does not do nice things to you”. Christine, a former nurse, suffers with Dementia, of which Peter said:

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“The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris’s mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me.

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Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life.

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Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her.

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We understand other people may not share our feelings and we respect their position. What we want is the right to choose.”

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However, the highly controversial methods of assisted suicide remain outlawed in the UK and so the couple have decided to travel to Switzerland, a landmark location in the global pursuit of euthanasia. Peter states that he found it “deeply depressing” that the couple were not allowed to carry out their wishes here in the UK, but the “pod” method is so controversial that it’s even banned in a part of Switzerland.

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Created by Philip Nitschke, dubbed ‘Doctor Death’ the pod works is by rapidly replacing oxygen with nitrogen, killing its occupants within ten minutes. Although, his company describes the process as ‘a peaceful, even euphoric death’, many scientists are skeptical or even against the use of nitrogen, arguing it could result in a painful death. Some critics 

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Dr Nitschke told reporters that:

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“The capsule for two people works exactly the same as the single Sarco but there is only one button so they will decide between them who will push it.”

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Many people want to take control over their death and their after death care and are increasingly becoming aware of assisted dying. Whilst the laws in the UK continue to outlaw these controversial practices, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to allow Labour MPs a free vote on assisted dying laws.

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