Articles in Information

Articles in Euthanasia & Assisted Dying

The Palace of Westminster seen from Westminster Bridge against a blue evening sky. In the foreground are coloured motion blurs of moving traffic

BuDS’ View On Using The Parliament Act To Salvage The Assisted Suicide Bill

Ben Clark

BuDS roundly condemns the unprecedented and extraordinary threat to use the Parliament Act to bypass the House of Lords and force the Assisted Dying/Suicide Bill through Parliament. Such important legislation must not be railroaded in this way. We call on Kim Leadbeater MP and Lord Falconer, the sponsors of this Bill, to abandon this outrageous and unworkable idea.

BuDS also condemns the underhand methods used to bring this Bill before Parliament and prevent a proper national debate about the difficult and sensitive issue of assisted dying/suicide.

We call on politicians of all parties to recognise this Bill has reached the end of its life, and to step back so that a careful and well-informed national conversation about assisted dying/suicide can take place in the future.

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A woman wearing a white shirt and grey jacket talks to a woman wearing white, who's back is facing the camera. In the background is a medical bed set against a light yellow wall.

Health Information versus Medical Advice

Ben Clark

Health Information

BuDS Disability Service provides general non-personalised Health Information and Advice, that is to say general information and advice about health and health-related issues, including public health and health education information and advice.

We do this by publishing information on our websites and on social media platforms for the public to read. We use only reputable academic and official sources and take great care to ensure that we provide accurate information and advice. We also take care to present information in an accessible way, so everyone can understand it. We welcome feedback about all our publications, and you can give it using the form below.

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A caucasian woman wearing a red blouse and white headscarf looking gravely into the camera, against a neutral grey background

Covid & Cancer

Ben Clark

There is now compelling medical evidence that Covid-19 infections can reactivate dormant cancer cells, and trigger the growth of secondary cancers (metastatic progression). In studies, cancer survivors who contracted Covid had a statistically significant higher risk of cancer-related deaths compared to uninfected cancer survivors.

This is such an important issue that BuDS has decided to run an awareness campaign over the autumn and winter. The aim of the campaign will be to warn cancer survivors of the very real additional danger that Covid poses to them.

We have worked hard to give you accurate information. However, you should always speak to your own GP, oncologist, or cancer clinic to get personal medical advice. We are not doctors, and we cannot give you medical advice.

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Heat Exhaustion & Heatstroke

Ben Clark

The following information about heat exhaustion and heatstroke is taken from official NHS advice. It is designed to help people provide first aid to older and disabled people during the heatwave, because there is likely to be a very long delay before an ambulance or healthcare professional can reach you. This is only general advice, and you should follow any specific advice given to you by a healthcare professional.

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The Palace of Westminster and Portcullis House (MPs offices) seen from across the River Thames, silhouetted against a stormy sky.

Find Your MP

Ben Clark

We encourage disabled people and their families/carers to keep in touch with their local constituency MP. There are many key issues affecting disabled people at the minute, such as the proposed benefit cuts, the changes to the NHS and social care, and, of course, the Assisted Dying Bill currently going through Parliament. It is really important that constituency MPs know how disabled people feel about these changes. Disabled people make up about a fifth of all voters in the UK, so our opinions matter.

The table below gives you the names, constituencies, and websites of MPs in and around Buckinghamshire. The button below the table will take you to the Parliament website, where you can find details of your MP if they are not listed.

If you would like any help contacting your MP, or would like BuDS to get involved in anything that matters to you, please use the contact form at the end of this page.

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