DNR to let disabled man die!

[the truth]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/9540307/Man-with-Downs-Syndrome-takes-legal-action-over-DNR-order.html

Absolutely horrific story this, they put DNR (do not resuscitate) on the man, without his or any of his famly being told?

''If an individual was physically preventing a doctor from administering life-saving treatment to a disabled relative, it would undoubtedly be a matter for the police, yet we see doctors taking this decision without consent or consultation regularly.


''The absurdity of this is highlighted by the contrast with cases where people wish to end their own lives. :conf::conf:

what the hell is wrong with these people?


''Any doctor assisting patients with capacity such as Tony Nicklinson or our own client 'Martin', who wish to end their own life would face prosecution for a serious criminal offence.''


A family member who is acting as the litigation friend for AWA, said: ''We were all shocked to find out about what had been put into AWA's notes without our knowledge.


''One member of the family at least was in the hospital practically every day and could have been consulted about the decision.

[the truth]

many on here care about a persons right to die, but doesnt anyone care about a persons right to live?

[Vicky.]

'This is definitely one of the most extreme cases we have seen of a DNR order being not only imposed on a patient without consent or consultation, but to use Down's Syndrome and learning difficulties as a reason to withhold lifesaving treatment is nothing short of blatant prejudice.

I agree with this completely. That story is ridiculous...I didnt even know about DNR orders until today actually. I do think a patient should be able to decide they do not want certain treatments, but until they make this clear docs should do everything they can to save them, regardless of their disabilities.

[the truth]

I agree with this completely. That story is ridiculous...I didnt even know about DNR orders until today actually. I do think a patient should be able to decide they do not want certain treatments, but until they make this clear docs should do everything they can to save them, regardless of their disabilities.

Im delighted I have brought this disgusting DNR practice to your attention

What disturbs me is the inordinate amount of time and attention that is spent on the right to die argument, compared to the right to live debate. It may not appear as a competition, but parliament, the politicians and media only have limited time and space to debate and discuss these extrremely difficult subjects and when one gets debated over vast periods , then other subjects get less coverage. So there is a competition, for getting issues debated by politicians and by the media. We've spent more time discussing fox hunting than DNR, thats an example of how disproportionate and confused some of parliaments priorities seem to be.

Listen again to what the solicitor says,: "This is definitely one of the most extreme cases we have seen of a DNR order being imposed on a patient without consent or consultation.

If an individual was physically preventing a doctor from administering life-saving treatment to a disabled relative, it would undoubtedly be a matter for the police, yet we see doctors taking this decision without consent or consultation regularly."

Also the chief executive of Mencap, "All too often, decisions made by health professionals are based on discriminatory and incorrect assumptions about a patient's quality of life.
"People with a learning disability enjoy meaningful lives like anyone else. Yet... prejudice, ignorance and indifference, as well as failure to abide by disability discrimination laws, still feature in the treatment of many patients with a learning disability.

"Health professions need to understand their legal duties when treating people with a learning disability, and be held to account when their fail to do so."

[Benjamin]

Less of the bitching and more of the discussions in here please, both of you.