Hello Pansy, assuming that is tongue in cheek. I do walk a lot, because of the dogs. Used to cycle a lot before we moved here. (We're up a hill opposite the South Downs. ) Hubby used to cycle to work and back 6 months of the year,20 mile round trip.
We've almost run out of coins to feed parking meters etc. Where do you go to get them? We could go to the bank, I suppose but I'll have to use some of the dwindling supply to park.
Palliative care in the UK is better now than it has ever been and it can be said that it's the best in Europe so perhaps euthanasia isn't needed as such.
Palliative care can prevent pain, but can't stop somebody suffering in a body which they can no longer use. If somebody has a terminal illness, they should have the right to choose what they want to do.
Is palliative care available for all who need it today ? If it is, will it continue to be so in the future ? I've always understood that the major argument put forward against euthanasia had more to do with legalities ie those who were terminally ill but could be persuaded along the euthanasia route by grasping/fed up relatives who just wanted rid. It surely can't be beyond those who produce legislation to circumnavigate this problem. Just as an example - Organ donation . Now the case that if you do not specifically opt out of donating your organs, you are deemed to be in agreement. Euthanasia is somewhat more complicated but a similar ruling should be possible. If you are of sound mind and have stated your desire in a legal document and then happen to be unfortunate enough to suffer from a terminal condition you should then be entitled to call it a day when you can no longer envisage enjoying even a limited form of life. As we already allow some patients in hospital to have "Do not resuscitate " on their notes, I can't see the argument - other than religious beliefs but that is a different ball game entirely. The law also requires up dating with regard to Assisted Suicide. As @Lyn points out, the medical profession's ethics prevent them from helping someone to end their life. I don't know how many instances occur where a Doctor/Nurse has been tempted to help someone but has held back for fear of what may result. The silly thing is that members of the medical profession would be the most qualified to assist in those circumstances. Barring the odd Doctor or Nurse found guilty of knocking their patients off for no good reason of course. I'm also unsure how many friends/relatives have been prosecuted for aiding a suicide of someone determined to end their life when they see fit. Even whether many such instances even come to light. I'm obviously not including those physically fit of whatever age who suffer from such mental health issues that death seems to be the only solution. Perhaps those who are vociferous about freedom of choice in every day life may consider going a step further ?
@B3, I had the same problem with lack of coins. It meant I couldn’t buy my usual supplies of beans and courgettes from the local farm honesty box last summer. Solved that now by using the cash or card self service check outs at our local Sainsbury’s. Also meant I’ve been able to use up some of the old twenty pound notes I’d accumulated before they finally cease to be legal tender, while getting change in coins and new £5 and £10 notes. Ive yet to see a new £20 note.
I don't know why you thin the UK has the best palliative care @Uff. I suspect it depends on the lovely postcode lottery that applies to so much health care policy in the UK.
In France Leonetti's law has been active since 2006. Patients with terminal illnesses and in severe pain can refuse invasive treatment but must be given pain relief. Patients incapacitated by their illness can make a plan in advance to ensure their agreement to pain control and there are procedures to follow to make sure the doctors, carers and family are all aware.
The Leonetti’s law is based on the following values: • The respect of the person’s will (principle of autonomy) • The necessity of the patient and proxi information • The dignity of the person • The pain relief • The principle that the cessation of treatment, refusal of treatment must be accompanied by the establishment of a palliative care project
• It imposes procedures in medical decision making: • The collegiality in decision-making to stop or limit treatment. • Compulsory report of discussion: the decision must be recorded in the medical file. Time duration of the concertation with the team will be recorded as well as the opinions of the protagonists with the dates of meetings, names and qualifications of the persons concerned.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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Palliative care can prevent pain, but can't stop somebody suffering in a body which they can no longer use. If somebody has a terminal illness, they should have the right to choose what they want to do.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I've always understood that the major argument put forward against euthanasia had more to do with legalities ie those who were terminally ill but could be persuaded along the euthanasia route by grasping/fed up relatives who just wanted rid.
It surely can't be beyond those who produce legislation to circumnavigate this problem. Just as an example - Organ donation . Now the case that if you do not specifically opt out of donating your organs, you are deemed to be in agreement. Euthanasia is somewhat more complicated but a similar ruling should be possible. If you are of sound mind and have stated your desire in a legal document and then happen to be unfortunate enough to suffer from a terminal condition you should then be entitled to call it a day when you can no longer envisage enjoying even a limited form of life.
As we already allow some patients in hospital to have "Do not resuscitate " on their notes, I can't see the argument - other than religious beliefs but that is a different ball game entirely.
The law also requires up dating with regard to Assisted Suicide. As @Lyn points out, the medical profession's ethics prevent them from helping someone to end their life. I don't know how many instances occur where a Doctor/Nurse has been tempted to help someone but has held back for fear of what may result. The silly thing is that members of the medical profession would be the most qualified to assist in those circumstances. Barring the odd Doctor or Nurse found guilty of knocking their patients off for no good reason of course. I'm also unsure how many friends/relatives have been prosecuted for aiding a suicide of someone determined to end their life when they see fit. Even whether many such instances even come to light.
I'm obviously not including those physically fit of whatever age who suffer from such mental health issues that death seems to be the only solution.
Perhaps those who are vociferous about freedom of choice in every day life may consider going a step further ?
Solved that now by using the cash or card self service check outs at our local Sainsbury’s. Also meant I’ve been able to use up some of the old twenty pound notes I’d accumulated before they finally cease to be legal tender, while getting change in coins and new £5 and £10 notes. Ive yet to see a new £20 note.
In France Leonetti's law has been active since 2006. Patients with terminal illnesses and in severe pain can refuse invasive treatment but must be given pain relief. Patients incapacitated by their illness can make a plan in advance to ensure their agreement to pain control and there are procedures to follow to make sure the doctors, carers and family are all aware.
The Leonetti’s law is based on the following values: • The respect of the person’s will (principle of autonomy) • The necessity of the patient and proxi information • The dignity of the person • The pain relief • The principle that the cessation of treatment, refusal of treatment must be accompanied by the establishment of a palliative care project
• It imposes procedures in medical decision making: • The collegiality in decision-making to stop or limit treatment. • Compulsory report of discussion: the decision must be recorded in the medical file. Time duration of the concertation with the team will be recorded as well as the opinions of the protagonists with the dates of meetings, names and qualifications of the persons concerned.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border