I read an article this morning online; but cannot recall where.....About the NHS and its lack of understanding in the final days of caring for terminally ill cancer patients......
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I have just returned from the UK after having said goodbye to my brother who passed away a couple of weeks ago very peacefully at ST Catherine’s hospice in Lostock Hall nr Preston. I had him moved there from the neurology ward at Preston Hospital (Otherwise known to the locals as ‘Bedlam’).
The care and attention and at the right time medical treatment to allay any pain or distress was an incredible thing to witness and he passed away surrounded by family in peace and comfort.
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The trust is an amazing place and does magnificent work in a terribly demanding area.
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If I hadn't managed to arrange a bed at the hospice, he would have suffered an enormous amount during his final days as the little supervision afforded in an NHS ward for patients in this category is abysmal in the least. I spoke only once to a consultant due to the lack of availability, about pain relief and was fobbed off with ward doctors and nursing staff who were unqualified and individually case ignorant.
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The government could go a long way in helping sufferers and their families if extreme terminal pain relief was not regarded as euthanasia

I completely agree with you. Both my OH and I have been in the position of having to argue and plead with NHS staff for more pain relief for a parent in their last days and hours - a Staff Nurse said to me "we can't give your father any more morphine as it would depress his breathing". That was during the night after my sister, brother and I had met with his consultant who very tactfully and kindly (and I don't mean that sarcastically) advised us that the only thing that could be done for my Dad was to keep him comfortable, and we agreed that all tubes should be removed and only pain relief given. I felt as though I was asking her to hasten my Dad's death but we all found it so harrowing to see and hear him in pain.

I believe the hospice movement is marvellous and it would be good if every patient could have access to that care if they aren't able to die at home.

I think we were so lucky with my mum when she was in hospital - she had lung cancer and from finding out she died 4 weeks later - a few days before she died she asked for morphine (until then she had refused it as she thought people only had it when they were dying) - the night before she died we could see she was very uncomfortable - the morning after we got the dreaded call to say to come as soon as we can - she never regained consiousness but im sure that was due to the staff giving her more morphine than they probably should have - but if that was the case id love to shake their hands as she died peacefully - my dad on the other hand had quite a long run up to him dying - he stopped eating as he'd had enough - he was on oxygen 24/7 - had no quality of life whatsoever and kept asking me to sort him out - if my dad had been in any fit state to travel id have taken him abroad as its ******g awful having to watch and listen to how much he suffered - so yeh i do think laws should be changed here to help genuine people out - we wouldnt let animals suffer so why should we xxxxx

I have just had a close family member die and they were really struggling at the end, until the morphine was increased, it's a difficult decision.

There is a type of Euthanasia practised in the UK...it's called The Liverpool Pathway. My mother was put on 'The Pathway'.

Sorry to hear about your brother and the traumatic experiences you have been put through.
based on the experiences of both my mother and father 12 years apart all I can say is the NHS has rigid guidelines and only operates within them, and from those experiences it would appear that dying isnt included.
In both cases they were dying of cancer and just left in a room, only at the last minute did they start making phone calls to get family to attend. They didnt want the responsibility.
In fathers case he was obviously too ill to look after himself but the social worker said he wants to go home so let him. He couldnt even get himself out of bed or stand without help - but they sent him home when he couldnt get out of bed to go to the toilet and ignored him when he was back in inside 36 hours.

No Help Supplied were totally useless. Social worker clueless.
Is death such a rare thing in hospitals nowadays??
And yet dad always kept on how well he was looked after, and how poorly paid the nurses were - on £29k + overtime being paid more than I was.

Yes, and it's not been accepted by all, some senior doctors are against it. This rather sad story was doing the rounds recently as well.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...way-death.html
http://liverpool-care-pathway-a-nati...logspot.co.uk/

Was that a good or bad thing?

I think it was said by someone commenting on this lack of final care in the NHS that we should have the same care and dignity afforded us when we leave this world as that which were are afforded when we entered it.

If only that were the case.

Yes I read that article other day. There was only one doctor who signed for mum to be put on The Pathway.
I don't know.

Mum wasn't terminally ill...she'd just given up on life. Slept most of the time...refused food, liquids and meds.

I hate the subject of euthanasia!!! Personally I think its everyones choice to be able to "go" when they want to - not when some doctor or judge decides! I hope and pray that when I'm ready, no one will try to stop me, cos, I'm sorry, but to me the thought of being an old, incapable of looking after myself, incontinent, nothing to look forward to etc - regardless of whether I'm terminal or not fills me with dread - some young care assistant dealing with my needs??????????????? NNNNOOOOOWAYYYYY. I've had a great life and I dont want to end it lingering in misery! But thats me and it is a personal choice that should be honoured by the professionals!!!!!!

I often wonder why the church get so involved in keeping folk alive when indeed they promote a wonderful afterlife in heaven - why are they stopping people from going there??? why are they allowing and sanctioning people living in a twilight, incapable and dependent world???

Jo xxxx

My father is dealing with this issue now. It is legal where I live in specific cases. The patient must be terminal and mentally competent. His Dr. however is Jewish and his faith will not allow him to participate in the process. Need to find another Dr. and a second opinion. There are many more details, it is not an easy process nor should it be.

MONEY they want all the Tithes they can get

My mother died earlier this year. She had been in a bad way both physically and mentally for a few years and needed constant care. She had had many TIAs (small stokes I believe) and had been brought back from the brink on more than one occasion. My father, brother and sister and I signed papers such that she would be given no more lifesaving treatment - merely made comfortable and pain free. She went peacefully some months later. It was the right thing to do.

I think that is what most people want at the end. My father has a firm DNR order.