There has been much debate recently about assisted suicide, following Bradford right-to-die campaigner Debbie Purdy’s long fight for legal clarification on the issue.

But what about those with terminal illnesses who have no intention of taking their lives?

Last week’s publishing of guidance on when a person might face prosecution for helping a loved one end their life abroad was welcomed by MS sufferer Mrs Purdy, who said it would stop people taking their lives years before they would otherwise choose to.

Mrs Purdy, who won her legal battle last year after Law Lords backed her call for a policy statement from the Director of Public Prosecutions, will continue lobbying ministers to allow a debate in the Commons on changing the law.

She stressed she was not suggesting a law allowing anyone to commit suicide with help, but for people with chronic illnesses when their life becomes unbearable.

For many people with such illnesses, though, death is a natural end to life and something they don’t wish to bring about themselves. Through palliative care, which often incorporates discussion about dying, patients can spend their final weeks with as much dignity, comfort and support as possible.

“Going through the normal dying process can be very peaceful. And it means there is no guilt or conflict of interests for the families,” says Bradford Marie Curie Hospice director Jane Edgeley.

“A big part of our palliative care focuses on affirming life and looking at death as a normal part of that. Death and dying are such taboo subjects, we try and help people see them as part of a natural process. “A lot of people ask, ‘What will it be like at the end?’ Our staff are highly trained, with high-level communication skills, and they talk through the process with them. We also have information leaflets about what happens when someone dies, which can help both patients and their families.”

Marie Curie Cancer Care is the UK’s leading independent hospice provider. Staff provide end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses, including cancer, motor neurone disease and heart disease.

Bradford Marie Curie Hospice cares for around 500 in-patients a year, and up to 1,000 out-patients and day centre patients who are cared for at home.

Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Supporting The Choice To Die At Home campaign is pushing for greater choice for patients in end-of-life care.

Research shows around 70 per cent of people would like to die at home if they had a terminal illness, with others opting for hospice care. Yet more than 50 per cent of cancer deaths still occur in hospital, the place people say they would least like to be.

“While hospitals provide high-level treatment, they are busy places. Many patients are better off at home,” says Jane.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence defines palliative care as the active holistic care of a patient with advanced progressive illness and their family, helping them to cope with their condition, from diagnosis to death and bereavement. The care involves psychological, social and spiritual support, pain relief, rehabilitation and complementary therapies such as massage.

“The emphasis is on quality of life,” says Jane. “Our main focus is pain and symptom control, but we also offer spiritual and emotional support. Our chaplain liaises with other faith leaders and social workers provide counselling.”

Susan Martin’s mother, Dorothy, died of stomach cancer in 2008. “She spent her final weeks at home, before moving to a hospice,” says Susan, of Shipley. “When she was told it was terminal, she was determined to stay at home as long as possible. Knowing she’d been able to do that, thanks to palliative care, was a great comfort to her. And that comforted us, once she’d died.

“At times Mum got upset about dying, but she didn’t want to know how long she’d got, and she cherished each day.

“Towards the end it was horrible, she looked like a skeleton, but she was comforted by having her family around her. The Marie Curie nurses were marvellous.

“We did most of our grieving while she was ill. When she died, we celebrated the life she’d had. I have nothing against people who feel the need to end their life because of chronic illness, but my mother would never have considered that. Thanks to palliative care, she approached the end of her life in comfort and dignity at home.”