The end-of-life Centres
Main differences between them
“People may prefer to add life to their years rather than years to their life”
The “differences” shown on the following table should not detract from what unites these end-of-life Centres. They are not “competitors” in the normal sense.
They are all run on a not-for-profit basis and are registered as such with the Swiss authorities. They keep their prices quite similar to each other. They see themselves as providing a human service rather than running a business. Above all, they are clearly motivated by the common goal of giving human individuals the right to bring their lives to an end if they feel that its quality has become unendurable and the future offers little prospect of improvement. In the words of Dignitas “People may prefer to add life to their years rather than years to their life”.
The decision as to which Centre to use can only be personal to the user. Would you prefer to drink the medication or apply it to yourself through moving a valve on a cannula ? Do you want to go to sleep within seconds or minutes ? Do you want the experienced administrative thoroughness of Dignitas, the more personal wraparound care of Lifecircle or the relatively greater flexibility offered by Pegasos. Only you can choose.
| DIGNITAS | LIFECIRCLE | PEGASOS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOCATIONS | Forch, near Zurich | Biel Benken and Liestal | Basel and Liestal |
| WHAT DO THEY CALL THEIR SERVICE? | Physician supported accompanied suicide | Voluntary assisted dying | Voluntary assisted death |
| WHAT ARE USERS CALLED? | Members or “people” | “Members” | “Supporters” |
| PREFERRED METHOD FOR ADMINISTERING THE MEDICATION | The member drinks it | A cannula is inserted into the member’s vein. The member must personally open its valve. | A cannula is inserted into the member’s vein. The member must personally open its valve. |
| HOW LONG BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP? | 3 - 5 minutes | 20 seconds | 20 seconds |
| HOW LONG BEFORE YOUR HEART STOPS BEATING | 20 - 30 minutes | 5 minutes | 5 minutes |
| ARE MEDICAL STAFF INVOLVED? | No | Yes | Yes |
| ARE THE POLICE NOTIFIED AFTER THE DEATH? | Yes (As required by Swiss Law) | Yes (As required by Swiss Law) | Yes (As required by Swiss Law) |
| CAN YOU GO ALONE? | Yes, but they much prefer you to be accompanied. | Only in exceptional circumstances. Only in 1% of their cases | Yes, if necessary. Many from Australia. |
| PHOTOGRAPHICALLY RECORDED FINAL QUESTIONS? | Rarely | Yes | No |
