'When I am dying, who are you to tell me I've not suffered enough?'

A Derby woman was on her way to London on Thursday afternoon, ready to take up spot near Parliament and carrying a placard urging MPs to support the assisted dying bill which they will be debating in the House of Commons on Friday (November 29).

Sandra Heard, who has supported many well-known local campaigns over the years, says that supporting people who want to end their lives because of terminal illness has to be a better way forward than the current situation.

Mrs Heard, of Darley Abbey, said: "It's a humane right to allow people this choice and what's happening with my own family members has made me think this is the best way forward. However, the bill is so tightly worded and so many people and processes are involved that it may not be accessible for those who are within a few days or weeks of dying and it's hard to imagine how our health and court systems will be able to cope.

"I think that at least initially, the numbers of people using assisted dying would be low and I don't believe it would put pressure on other people who have illnesses or mental disabilities to take that path as many have suggested. We are talking terminally-ill adults with less than six months to live."

Mrs Heard thinks the Commons vote will be close, especially as it is a Friday and many MPs will have gone back to their constituencies for the weekend and won't be present. That is why she hopes she can catch the eyes of MPs arriving for the debate and persuade them to her way of thinking.

Her placard reads:

WHEN I AM DYING

WHO ARE YOU

TO TELL ME THAT

IHAVE NOT SUFFERED ENOUGH ?

Mrs Heard has canvassed her local Mid Derbyshire MP Jonathan Davies but much to her disappointment he is not supporting the bill. She said: "People have to ask themselves what lengths people will go to when they are sick and dying - how many stop eating and drinking to speed the end along or take their own lives anyway?

"I am hoping that I can catch the eye of any wavering MPs. I need to be in Parliament Square by 9am at the latest and I am expecting it to be very busy with people who are both for and against the legislation."

MPs have been given a free vote on the Private Member's Bill, which because it is introduced by an MP technically means the Government is neutral on the issue. It means MPs can follow their conscience rather than tow a party line or orders. But it also leaves them to bear the responsibility - and the consequences - of their choice alone.

Derbyshire MPs who have made up their minds about how they will vote include Erewash MP Adam Thompson, who says he has had many constituents contact him on the issue. He said: "This is a very personal and emotive issue, both for me and, I know, a great number of Erewash residents.

"I’m pleased we are having a free vote on this issue, and that we have the opportunity for thorough discussion and debate. Fundamentally, I support a system of assisted dying which allows people the choice to end their lives with dignity, backed up by strong safeguards and protections for the most vulnerable. For me, that choice is paramount.”

As the debate has approached, Mr Thompson has intensely considered the specific wording of this bill, and discussed it extensively with his fellow MPs, especially those in Derbyshire.

He intends to speak in the debate on Friday. However, as so many MPs are likely to want to speak on such an important issue, he may not be able to. With permission from those concerned, if he is able to speak, Adam intends to share stories of some people impacted by the bill in his speech.

John Whitby, MP for Derbyshire Dales, will also be voting in favour of the bill. He said: "My support for the bill is based on the protections and safeguards that will be in the legislation, and the need for compassion, kindness and the choice we must give those suffering immense pain at the end of their lives."

Jonathan Davies, Mid Derbyshire MP, who is against the bill, said: "I welcome the debate and thank the many hundreds of people who have written to me about it. All the correspondence from Mid Derbyshire residents, both for and against, has been constructive and with people at its heart.

"However, I cannot vote for this change after finding a lack of safeguards in the draft bill. Proponents of assisted suicide say it will reduce suffering for people at the end of their life. I am not deaf to that argument. But the legislation risks huge unintended consequences – and the experience of other countries where assisted suicide has been legalised shows this to be a real risk.

"It is impossible to create any legislation for this that truly prevents people from being coerced. It is also hard to ensure people would not feel obliged to choose assisted suicide if they felt they were a burden to their loved ones or carers."

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally introduced her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to Parliament in October. The Bill’s long title states it would "allow adults who are terminally ill, subject to safeguards and protections, to request and be provided with assistance to end their own life". She said it was aimed at “shortening death rather than ending life,” and ensuring "the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world".

A debate and first vote will take place on Friday. If the bill passes the first stage in the Commons, it will go to committee stage where MPs can table amendments, before facing further scrutiny and votes in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, meaning any change in the law would not be agreed until next year at the earliest.

Ms Leadbeater’s bill would apply only to England and Wales. Two doctors must assess each request, at least seven days apart, to ensure that the person meets the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria include that the person has a “clear, settled and informed wish to end their own life” and that they have reached this decision voluntarily, without coercion or pressure. If both doctors state, independently of one another, that the eligibility criteria have been met, the person may apply to the High Court for approval of their request.

If the High Court decides that the applicant meets the requirements of the bill, there would then be a 14-day reflection period (this would be shortened to 48 hours if death is imminent). After this time, the applicant may make a second declaration to request assistance to end their life. If the doctor continues to be satisfied that the person meets the eligibility criteria set out in the bill, a life-ending “approved substance”, to be self-administered, would be prescribed.

A person who provides assistance to another in accordance with the bill would not face any criminal (or civil) liability, and the Suicide Act 1961 would be amended accordingly.