DOCTORS in Swindon would prescribe powerful drugs to dying patients knowing that it could shorten life.

Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery, in Toothill, said he would have no qualms injecting terminally-ill patients with morphine even though it could shorten their life. He claims many other doctors would do the same.

His comments come in the light of a major survey out today which shows nearly half of all doctors believe their colleagues are helping terminally-ill patients to die.

A poll of 1,000 UK doctors found 45 per cent thought other medics were aiding the deaths of patients who were suffering unbearable pain due to a terminal illness.

More than a quarter said they themselves had been asked by a patient for help to die, according to research for the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.

Dr Swinyard, who has practised medicine for 25 years, says he has been asked the question three times.

"No doctor intentionally sets out to expedite a patient's death and our prime aim when administering drugs is always to relieve pain," he said.

"But sometimes the treatment to relieve suffering has a side effect of shortening life.

"Morphine has received a lot of bad press. But it provides effective pain relief. We are in the business of caring for people. We want to ensure they have a dignified death and do not die in agony.

"Unfortunately, some doctors are very reluctant to use morphine because they do not want to be considered the next Harold Shipman murderer."

The Oldham doctor hanged himself in January after being convicted of murdering 15 patients.

Dr Kandy Kandiah, of Sparcells Surgery, opposes euthanasia.

He said: "I do not think doctors have any right to decide how long a patient should live for.

"Doctors must all do all they can to keep patients alive as long as possible. I have never prescribed medicine that could shorten life. That's not my job."

The survey came as the House of Lords continue to discuss the Assisted Dying For The Terminally Ill Bill.

The BMA is against euthanasia legislation and will outline its opposition to the House later today.

The bill would effectively allow doctors to prescribe a lethal medication for the patient to take themselves once it has been established that they are competent to make a decision.