________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Standing Committee of Nurses of the EU (PCN) - Rue de la Concorde 53, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 512 74 19   Fax: +32 2 512 35 50   Email: [email protected]   Website: www.pcnweb.org Brussels, Monday 18 April 2005 Concern: Report on the Assistance to patients at the end of life Rapporteur: Mr. Dick Marty, Switzerland, LDR Dear Member of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, The  Standing  Committee  of  Nurses  of  the  European  Union (PCN) is  very  pleased  with  the  reviewed report ‘Assistance to patients at the end of life’, of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, presented by the rapporteur Mr. Dick Marty. During  our  Spring  General  Assembly,  held  on  15-16  March  2005,  in  Copenhagen,  PCN  members analysed very carefully and discussed this very important report for nurses and nursing. PCN fully agrees with the principle of protecting the dignity and the rights of all human beings. The deliberate causing of someone’s death is and should remain forbidden. There is, however, medical practice where life is being deliberately ended. We are also delighted that the report pleas for ‘the introduction, where they do not yet exist, of procedures and provisions clearly defining the responsibilities of medical and nursing staff and ensuring the traceability of all decisions and measures taken, thus facilitating effective monitoring’. PCN believes  that  it  is  important  that,  where  it  doesn’t  exist  yet,  EU  Member  States  create  legislation  on euthanasia  and  the roles and  responsibilities  of  all  healthcare  professionals,  especially  for  nurses,  when and/or if involved in such a process. PCN does not want to give ethical judgement or to promote the practice of euthanasia. But, as euthanasia is  part  of  medical  practice  and  as  nurses  are  professionally  involved  in  this  process,  we  ask  for  legal action,  so  that  roles  and  responsibilities  are  transparent  for  all  the  parties  involved.  Therefore,  PCN  is asking to the Members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly to vote in favour of this very important report for nurses and nursing. Finally, PCN would  like  to congratulate Mr. Marty for his excellent work and reviewed report.  We are very delighted that our concerns and views are being taken into account. PCN is looking forward for the positive outcome of this Parliamentary Assembly. Yours sincerely, Ria von Bönninghausen President Standing Committee of Nurses of the EU (PCN)