NHS sued over 'do not resuscitate'

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A topic from News & Current Affairs: Health

laresSat 27/08/11 23:47

"The husband of a woman who died in one of Britain's best-known hospitals is taking its management and the health secretary Andrew Lansley to court, alleging an illegal use of "do not resuscitate" orders.

David Tracey claims doctors at Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, twice put such orders in his wife's medical notes, cancelling the first after she objected to it only to put in a second three days later without her consent or any discussion with her.

Tracey alleges the hospital's actions deprived his 63-year-old wife Janet of the right to life and subjected her to degrading treatment, while he was denied respect for his personal and family life.

He is also seeking to force the coalition government to draw up a policy for England on the use of Do Not Attempt Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) instructions, and claims the present system of local policies is open to abuse.

The case is likely to ignite a public debate over whether patients should have the final choice over their life and death, or whether doctors ultimately "know best" on when such treatment might be futile.

Thousands of "do not resuscitate" instructions are added to medical notes each year. There is UK-wide guidance for health professionals, but the NHS in England leaves official policy to local health trusts, although there are moves at regional level to harmonise approaches. Scotland has a countrywide policy."

http://1sq.me/p5wR5S

burnley_oldgitSun 28/08/11 07:20

I cannot comment on the individual case as there's not enough information, but all these medical ethical minefields should have country wide policies.

It too often has been left to the individual doctor or hospital ethical practice committee to make decisions such as this. Many doctors don't like having to make these decisions in a void.. in many cases those nearest and dearest aren't in a position to make a reasoned decision.

These are such emotive issues and need the whole of society beind the decisions.. just think of NICE decisions on expensive drug treatments on cancer... Logically most of us would agree that we should not spend vast amounts of money on drugs that prolong the lives of individuals for a few days in deteriorating quality of life (thereby depriving many others of treatments which would vastly improve their quality of life)... but the patients themselves and their families and friends have applied such pressure (aided by the more moronic elements of the media) that these decisions are often overturned.

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