TV drama upset for PSP charity
The head of a Northamptonshire charity for a terminal brain disease is "disappointed" that a controversial TV drama may have linked the condition with assisted suicide.
A Short Stay in Switzerland, which was screened on Sunday, starred Julie Walters (pictured right) as a doctor, diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), who chose to end her life.
Although the drama was critically acclaimed and put the relatively unknown condition in the national spotlight, Jane Hardy, the chief executive of the Towcester-based PSP Association, said the programme was not all good for the charity.
She said: "It was a beautifully crafted film. I'm just deeply saddened by the means by which PSP is being raised on the back of assisted suicide.
"PSP should be known of in its own right.
As a charity we certainly do not advocate assisted suicide.
"Our goals are to make sure there is care and support and to talk to the Government to encourage investment in research.
"I would hope more of the public would know about PSP now, that is one positive. I am greatly concerned about the impact on vulnerable people as it was harrowing in some places."
In the TV drama Mrs Walters plays Dr Anne Turner whose family face emotional turmoil after she was diagnosed with incurable PSP.
She reveals she wants to end her life by travelling to Zurich for assisted suicide – and does so.
There are an estimated 10,000 PSP sufferers in the UK and the figure is rising.
The disease has claimed the life of comedian Dudley Moore and Daily Mail writer Nigel Dempster, but the actual number is likely to be much higher as it is often misdiagnosed.
A Short Stay in Switzerland re-ignited the debate on assisted suicide.
But Dr Angela Wilson, director of research at the PSP Association, stressed the drama would help attempts to lobby for Government investment in the search for a cure.
She said: "Research is essential to develop a treatment but the UK Government has funded no PSP research and virtually nothing has been funded by any of the major medical research funding bodies in the UK.
"This has to change. Research into PSP, like that for any other disease area, must be funded properly by Government."
Anyone wanting general information about PSP and the PSP Association can call 01327 322410 or visit www.pspeur.org
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