This letter and others on these pages give examples of good points to raise in writing to MPs or Peers about the Joffe Bill. Put the ideas in your own words and add a personal angle based on your own experience of the issues.

Dear...

I am writing to express my concern about the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, which aims to legalise assisted suicide and receives its second reading in the House of Lords on 12 May.

Legalising assisted suicide would split the medical profession. 75% of doctors in a major poll (Hospital Doctor, 15 May 2003) have already indicated that they will not participate in euthanasia if it is legalised, and a change in the law, as in the case of abortion, will lead to doctors who conscientiously object being excluded from specialities where euthanasia becomes part of the 'full range of services'.

Euthanasia legislation would have a devastating effect throughout the National Health Service on already critical levels of staffing, where we are reliant especially on many overseas nurses from Muslim, Christian and other faith backgrounds who are strongly opposed to the practice.

I urge you to oppose this bill.

Yours sincerely