Onthebeach, I don't see much criticism of medical staff here.

I think the criticism is directed at the laws that prevent us, & I'm sure many medical staff, from doing what the patient so often wants

Thanks to everyone who has contributed thus far.
Especially you Suse - who's had such vast experience
in this field. I guess we'll all have to deal with
the situation of death sooner or later. Let us trust
that when we do - circumstances will be such that
we shall make the right decisions for ourselves and
for our loved ones. I think that until we're
actually forced into making decisions we can't really
know how we shall deal with them. As I've found out from
experience. It's one thing to say one thing - but it's
a totally different situation - when one is forced to
have to make a decision . Not easy.

Hasbeen, "Onthebeach, I don't see much criticism of medical staff here"

Sorry, I wasn't intending to imply that there was. Just stating bluntly what we should all realise, but probably have not thought about. It is very necessary in the moment before the team takes over in Emergency to tell them, "Hey, I know I have a terminal condition. Please help my suffering with pain control but don't resuscitate, or intervene to maintain life".

Where that very short opportunity is lost, you are unlikely to be heard later. Too much is going on and there are drugs. Practically speaking you lost your individual moment of choosing because every effort will be taken to save and extend life.

Dear onthebeach,

An excellent suggestion.

We were lucky in that we had a very good doctor
for my mother-in-law - who asked us before placing
our mother into palliative care as to what our
wishes were. The staff were then instructed
accordingly.

Lexi

Thanks.

It is not a complete solution. But it will help some.

Get your decision and will known before the inevitable descent to where others must be involved because you are not able.

Just a little apart from that, I am wondering where people who cannot afford professional advice can go for examples of advance directives. It would be empowering if such information in the form of actual examples and explanations could be available. More than the general bureaucratic lawyer speak that requires them to pay for advice anyhow.

cont'd ...

It is a very difficult time when family members have
to deal with the agony of a loved one's suffering
and one wonders why this problem has been created.

We all know that physicians are expected to do all they can
to sustain life, but perhaps it is time that the Medical
Profession should take another look at the circumstances
that would require a bit more flexibility in their
stance on this issue.
If the preservation of life helps no one, and is desired
neither by the patient nor by those who love the patient most
dearly, why could the doctors not be content of let the
patient die in peace and dignity? Why pursue a vigorous
therapy that would benefit no one - except their own
satisfaction in thwarting death regardless of the
consequences.

These and many other questions can only be answered by the
medical profession. With our aging population pressure
must be applied for these issues to no longer be swept
under the rug.