The Health Ministry together with the Family Ministry have presented a new action plan to improve access and care around euthanasia and palliative medicine. The plan aims to raise awareness among the society and break up the taboo that surrounds all topics related to death.
Health Minister Paulette Lenert reminds: “People need to be aware of their rights and of what it means to be accompanied on the last life phase once a sickness has advanced. That isn’t the right moment to take calm decisions. This needs to be done before. We, as a society need to know our rights and the procedures before we fall sick – which can happen to anyone at any time.” Adults who suffer from an incurable disease have the right to decide for euthanasia in Luxembourg. The government’s new action plan draws from the experiences gathered by the actors in the field of hospice care and assisted suicide. Since euthanasia was made accessible in 2009, the numbers of people who take the decision to die have steadily increased. In the years 2009 and 2010, only five people made use of their right to die. Last year, 34 incurably ill people decided for euthanasia. The Commission responsible to evaluate the implementation of the euthanasia law see this increase as a good sign – a sign of progress, towards a destigmatisation. The commission however in their report highlighted the need for more awareness, in society, families, and especially among healthcare workers.
The director of the public health agency Jean-Claude Schmit says: “Doctors, healthcare workers, as well as all other helpers, those who accompany the families for example – it needs to be part of their education and training, in the beginning of the career but also later. And we also need a supervision for those who take this kind of decision. It is a large responsibility and an emotional baggage for them. All actors who took part in drafting the action plan have called for supervision and support for the heathcare workers.” Although the right to euthanasia has existed for 14 years, many healthcare workers are still not certain about how to handle the situations in which patients actually want to take this step.
Outside of the care system as well, people are overwhelmed by these questions. The action plan aims to establish support and guidelines for schoolteachers to foster an understanding for all topics related to death starting at an early age.
The teachers often feel lost when they are confronted with death – for instance when a student dies or a pupil’s parents or grandparents. Teachers don’t have any training on how to react in these cases, and some are interested.
Teachers act as multipliers. Even if no death happens in the school environment, they can transfer an understanding of death to their students. Schools are a safe space where the kids can ask questions and are guided towards a reflection on the topic. People need to know about this right, even about the details. To better prepare for the end of life – in case it becomes necessary, the action plan proposes an advanced care planning. The director of the public health agency Jean-Claude Schmit says: “That’s a tool to establish a care plan quite early, not only related to death but also to other aspects of medical care in case of diseases. Plus, we need to inform people about the procedures and documents they need to prepare. People need to know where to find these documents and what needs to be done to make the decisions official.“
Finally, the creation of a facility where people can die in dignity, is planned. In hospitals, the ambiance is often not suitable for people who have already decided to leave the world. And not everyone has a space at home where they can retreat to die. Therefore, the government’s action plan foresees the creation of a special facility where people can die in peace.