Exact requirements for doctor-assisted death as first British couple sign up to use ‘suicide pods’

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

An elderly couple is set to become the first Britons to use a so-called ‘suicide pod’, but there are various requirements you need to fulfil to get greenlit for doctor-assisted death.

Suffolk duo Peter and Christine Scott, who are 86 and 80 respectively, have made the decision to travel to Switzerland to ‘die in each others arms’, as per the Mail on Sunday.

The couple who have six grandchildren have planned to end their lives after retired nurse Christine was diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.

The pair will enter a Sarco death capsule together - a controversial pod designed for use in assisted suicide.

The portable capsules are made with 3D-printing technology by Exit International and passed an independent legal review in 2021.

It’s thought upon entering one of the ‘suicide pods’ it takes approximately 10 minutes for you to die as the vessel fills with nitrogen.

The Sarco vessel was legalised in 2021 (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

What did the British couple say of their decision?

Christine said she’d had a ‘lovely life’ with her husband but her vascular dementia diagnosis has changed things.

"Medicine can slow vascular dementia but it can't stop it. At the point I thought I was losing myself, I'd say: 'This is it, Pete, I don't want to go any further',” she explained to the publication.

"We have had long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives but here we are in old age and it does not do nice things to you,” reported Peter on the couple’s heartbreaking plan.

"The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris' mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me.

"Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life. Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her."

He continued: "We understand other people may not share our feelings and we respect their position. What we want is the right to choose. I find it deeply depressing we can't do that here in the UK.”

Assisted suicide is illegal in England

Under English law, both assisted suicide and euthanasia are illegal.

While trying to kill yourself is not a criminal act, participating in the suicide of someone else is illegal under the terms of the 1961 Suicide Act and is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment, writes the NHS.

Euthanasia is considered manslaughter and sometimes murder in the eyes of the law. It carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Assisted suicide is considered a crime if done for 'selfish' reasons in Switzerland (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Requirements for assisted death in Europe

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, doctor-assisted death is only allowed if a practitioner is satisfied a patient's suffering is 'unbearable with no prospect of improvement', and if there is 'no reasonable alternative in the patient's situation'.

Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942 as long as someone with no direct interest in the death performs the method.

Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code reads that assisting suicide is considered a crime if done for ‘selfish’ reasons.

“Whoever, from selfish motives, induces another person to commit suicide or aids him in it, shall be confined in the penitentiary for not over five years, or in the prison, provided that the suicide has either been completed or attempted,” the code says, as per Independent.

As per BBC, Belgium and Luxembourg are some of the only countries to have laws that allow people who are not terminally ill to receive assistance to die.

Dr Philip Nitschke created the euthanasia machine (David Mariuz/Getty Images)

Who created the ‘suicide pod’?

Dr Philip Nitschke, also known as 'Dr Death', is responsible for creating the euthanasia device.

Previously, he’s warned those planning assisted suicide that there was ‘no way back’ from their decision upon entering the Pegasos.

Dutch industrial designer Alexander Bannink also collaborated on the device.

Nitschke said the design of the vessel was supposed to mimic a spaceship, giving users the feel that they are travelling to the ‘great beyond’, as per The Washington Post.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.