OPINION: In the lead up to the election, I feel compelled to add my perspective on the upcoming referendum on euthanasia. I have had some 30 years working in General Practice and one case I recall in particular helped shape my thoughts on how I will vote.

A few years ago, I was asked to do a house call for an issue related to a patient's terminal illness. To protect this patient's identity, I will refer to him as 'Jack'. He was actually my partner's patient, but as a GP in practice with my partner it fell to me to care for his patients when he was away on leave.

During the visit Jack requested me to help him end his life rather than continue to suffer from his degenerative condition.

While he was clearly fearful, he was lucid, fully aware of what he was requesting of me and he made his case in a logical, compelling manner.

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GP Erich Kusel says there is one terminally ill patient he will never forget. (File photo).

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He'd been diagnosed some years prior but, in recent times, had deteriorated considerably and was becoming increasingly dependent. As I found out later, he had made the same request of his usual GP on a number of occasions: he wanted medical help to end his life before his incapacity became extreme. He had a good understanding of his condition. He knew what was to be his likely mode of death and this clearly filled him with an understandable degree of fear of how things would be for him at the end.

Of course, I couldn't comply. After my house call, I never saw Jack again. My partner had done all he possibly could. Jack had full community and medical support in place. However, despite his physical limitations, he died alone having committed suicide some weeks later.

To this day I believe Jack was gravely let down, not only by myself, but also by the wider medical community. His dire action of suicide is stark, silent proof of failure to provide a humane end for a patient who had so earnestly asked for help. I believe Jack should have had the option of an assisted death.

Had such an option been available to him, he could have lived his final months with an easy mind and faced his end in the presence of, and being supported by, family and friends.

I believe my views are shared by many doctors. I have doctors in my own family who agree with me. They, among others, acknowledge the tragic consequences that follow from the lack of a humane law that would fill the one gap that is missing from current end of life options.

I have studied the End of Life Choice Act and find the eligibility criteria clear and uncomplicated. I can think of patient cases that would have fitted the criteria although most would not. The required process in my opinion is detailed and rigorous.

I acknowledge my discomfort in making my opinion public.However, if this helps other doctors reconsider the harm done to their patients and their whanau/family when the law obliges doctors to turn a blind eye to terminal suffering, then any personal discomfort is more than worth it. I feel I owe it to Jack to speak up.

Dr Erich Kusel MbChb (Otago), Dip Obs, FRNZCGP is medical practitioner currently working in the Wellington region.

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Euthanasia referendum: A GP's perspective on the End of Life Choice Act - Stuff.co.nz