Colin Campbell's diary: week two

IT'S been another difficult week for me as my mobility declines on a daily basis due to the primary progressive multiple sclerosis which is now in "turbo" mode. It means I am constantly at risk of falling, particularly when I have to go downstairs. Voluntary assisted suicide for me is becoming ever more urgent.

Worryingly, my landlord, who is neither a doctor nor a neurologist, seems to be better informed about stem cell treatment than any neurologist I have spoken with. He advises I undergo stem cell treatment abroad as soon as possible. That has meant a frustrating week for me as nobody I speak with in Highland NHS seems to want to recommend stem cell treatment, or be able to advise as to whether or not it is an effective proven treatment for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Meanwhile in Britain, chemotherapy is being used to "reboot" the immune system, yet many other countries say it is too dangerous.

Although I am aware there are many distressing neurological diseases, I understand multiple sclerosis is the most prevalent. It is the largest cause of disability among young male and female adults.

Last week, I humorously likened my situation to being the condemned man alone in his cell on death row. I now have lots of time to think. I have to remind myself I have not committed a crime.

Lightheartedly, I would suggest that by opposing the legalisation of assisted suicide in this country, the BMA and many doctors are unwittingly involved in organised crime. Substances used in assisted suicide, such as sodium pentobarbital, are currently only obtainable from some drug dealers. The result is the criminalising of people who usually would not want to become customers in the truly evil trade of class A drug-dealing.

And if sodium pentobarbital cannot be obtained, some people have risked buying adulterated drugs to end their lives by way of injecting a deliberate overdose of heroin (diamorphine).

The BMA is allowing the most dreadful suffering by not agreeing to legalise voluntary assisted suicide. Incredibly, they are not even shamed by the fact that the kindness of doctors in Switzerland is sometimes required to make voluntary assisted suicide available to British citizens.

Many in Britain are, however, so severely ill they cannot travel.

Last week I mentioned multiple sclerosis sufferer, Omid, who is confined to bed and can't feed himself. You can read Omid’s account as to why legalising voluntary assisted suicide would benefit him at www.crowdjustice.com/case/dignified-death

Would the legalising of voluntary assisted suicide be dangerous to the elderly or the vulnerable? Absolutely not. Legalised voluntary assisted suicide is easy to regulate. It requires the person wanting their own voluntary assisted suicide to declares so in a written signed letter.

Photographic identity along with date of birth must be given. Recent proof of medical history must be provided.

Also a letter outlining life history is required and explaining why the person is seeking voluntary assisted suicide. A copy of the applicant's will must be provided.

Similarly an interview with two doctors is required and if they consider the applicant does not have mental capacity and, on the basis of the will, is possibly being coerced into making the application, then they will decline it.

Such procedures show that the real danger to patients does not come from legalised voluntary assisted suicide. Evidence shows the real danger to patients often comes directly through routine consultations with their GP or a consultant. Litigation potential is endless but not so with voluntary assisted suicide where the outcome if authorised is totally obvious.

The ongoing litigation against GPs in Britain is vast and costing taxpayers a fortune. Long-term suspension on full pay is a frequent result.

Recently, we have read of the surgeon who was performing unnecessary breast surgery on his female patients. Another caused the death of a young female patient undergoing a caesarean section.

Such tragedies serve as reminders of the potential dangers when consulting with surgeons or doctors.

The caesarean tragedy also reminds us that childbirth is potentially dangerous and not automatically covered by all insurance policies.

It is often said that if men had to give birth the human race would long ago have become extinct.

I have chosen to undergo voluntary assisted suicide in Switzerland next month, because I know that primary progressive multiple sclerosis will result in my gradually becoming a total invalid.

I already need use of a wheelchair outwith my flat. In cold weather, from October to end of April, there is the likelihood of flu and that is a dreadful prospect. And with regular wheelchair usage it will become necessary for me to wear and use a catheter. My speech will become slurred and chest infections will become more frequent. Eventually I will not even have the strength to sit upright in a wheelchair.

I will become confined to bed and will develop bed sores as a result. I will require help with eating and bathing and will regularly become constipated. For me, all this is a horror scenario.

That is why I have booked to go to the Lifecircle clinic in Basel, Switzerland, next month, to end my own life. Given these prospects, surely the BMA should make voluntary assisted suicide available for me in Scotland.

To donate to the MS Society visit www.msociety.org.uk