Assisted dying

[supercity88]

The head of the Catholic church was on the radio last night, of course he was against it, and has sent out a letter to be read in all churches tomorrow supporting his views. I’m not sure it should have anything to do with the church.

I'm sure if Jesus had the option of assisted dying over being hanged from a cross he would have taken it.

The church can fuck off on this one, like they need to on most modern issues.

 

[metalblue]

What if the patient doesn't want to live any more?

Why doesn’t someone want to live? I don’t mean that as a flippant question. Would be interesting to see what conditions/ reasons people have that opt to have assisted dying elsewhere where it is possible.

 

[kaz7]

That’s the first thing you’d naturally think of and to start that makes sense. The trouble is the fluid has to go somewhere, when a patient cannot drink their body is shutting down. Initially their bladder will process it but they will have pads in the bed as they can’t go to the loo, this quickly causes break down in skin and pressure sores. Even if they are well bed managed the body will continue to shut down and the IV fluid will eventually accumulates under the tissues - they are then treated for that but that only goes so far and ultimately it goes to the lungs where they drown - the death rattle.

So whilst it seems like you’re doing good you’re actually only going to cause more harm. People will see it as them being denied fluid but in reality it’s only letting nature take its course and not causing more harm. It’s a fine balancing act and often it’s more uncomfortable for the families observing than it is for the patient themselves.

Did you just mansplain to an ex nurse , lol

 

[jimharri]

In simplistic terms, I'd be in favour of it. No one should have to suffer in agony with an incurable illness. But there'd have to be safeguards in place re checking that the patient has the mental capacity to know what they're deciding on. Also, the opinions of a couple of independent GPs (not the family doctor) who have examined the patient and looked at their medical records.

 

[stonerblue]

In simplistic terms, I'd be in favour of it. No one should have to suffer in agony with an incurable illness. But there'd have to be safeguards in place re checking that the patient has the mental capacity to know what they're deciding on. Also, the opinions of a couple of independent GPs (not the family doctor) who have examined the patient and looked at their medical records.

I don't get the last bit. No need to ask for another medical opinion as the health of the person has been established already by several experts.
If someone wants out just let them.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

I don't get the last bit. No need to ask for another medical opinion as the health of the person has been established already by several experts.
If someone wants out just let them.

Don't see how the use of GPs is relevant anyway. Most people will have conditions that warrant diagnosis/assessment by a specialist in that area.

I could see the logic in confirming that a diagnosis is correct as a safeguard just to prevent someone doing something rash but as you highlight, it doesn't apply when people have suffered a degenerative condition over several or many years.

 

[metalblue]

Did you just mansplain to an ex nurse , lol

I was being polite and restrained in my reply. I could have really explained it to you. Any one who calls it starving people to death is one of them “nurses” who current nurses call bed washers.

 

[Marriedtoablue]

Did you just mansplain to an ex nurse , lol

No he asked his wife, a current Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist with 8-9 years of Specialist Palliative Care experience.

I’m all for it. Think it’s a disgrace that people can’t choose to go out with a bit of dignity.
Sure, it’d be a bit of a nightmare to police and unfortunately due to the human race being a bit cunty there will always be things open to abuse but overall it’s something that should have been in place a long time ago.

The issue is asking others to do the job for them.

Drs take an oath to preserve life, and we all work under the veil of not doing anything to either hasten or postpone death.

If this becomes a thing permitted the patient would have to be able to consent clearly at the point of the drug being administered, not something you can say in advance if this happens I want it etc as if you can’t communicate you may well have changed your mind.

It’s not something I would be willing to take part in and if it ever came to the point I was expected to I’d hang up my nursing belt.

 

[stonerblue]

No he asked his wife, a current Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist with 8-9 years of Specialist Palliative Care experience.

The issue is asking others to do the job for them.

Drs take an oath to preserve life, and we all work under the veil of not doing anything to either hasten or postpone death.

If this becomes a thing permitted the patient would have to be able to consent clearly at the point of the drug being administered, not something you can say in advance if this happens I want it etc as if you can’t communicate you may well have changed your mind.

It’s not something I would be willing to take part in and if it ever came to the point I was expected to I’d hang up my nursing belt.

Then take that issue away.
When diagnosed with a serious condition patients should have the ability to request a pill that will end their life quickly and with dignity. They can then take it, or not, whenever they want.

 

[Aphex]

Then take that issue away.
When diagnosed with a serious condition patients should have the ability to request a pill that will end their life quickly and with dignity. They can then take it, or not, whenever they want.

Thank god that Stuart Pierce isn't still our manager. He'd have blood on his hands.