LIVERPOOL CARE PATHWAY 8pm channel 4 TV (monday)

[kimorama]

Its needs more exposure.

[mummylin2495]

thanks for the tip off.i have set to record this.

[kimorama]

Yes, it was informative and put both sides. It is estimated that 90,000 deaths occur on Liverpool Care Pathway every year.

What puzzles me is it has been government policy for some years and we have only heard about it in the last 6 months

[mummylin2495]

Yes I agree with you.It seems to of been hushed up.I am in two minds about it,but from what I have read before some of the families were not aware their parent had been put on this.My dd in law family are going through something similar at the moment, but the lady concerned is at home not in a hospital.Idont think its right in all cases,but maybe where the person concerned is able to state their own preferences,then I think I have a different view of it,but not when its been done without proper consultation with the patient if possible,or if the patient is in terrible pain and has a terminal illness,the family should be involved.I think it would be a good idea to be able to fill in a form of some sort to say what we would all like in these circumstances.I think the man who continued to live for another 14 months sort of makes me think,if they had had their way he would of been long dead.Oh I don't know its difficult.What do you think ??

[kimorama]

Mummylin It is difficult. Because I personally would prefer to die pretty quickly if I was very old and ill We can wait and see what the government investigation on PATHWAY turns up.

[mummylin2495]

Oh so would I ,but not because they had decided it.If I had agreed or my family if I was not able,then that would be fine.I actually believe in euthanasia as I do think its cruel to let people suffer,but there are many different things to be covered.There are so many different views on this subject aren't there.I hope others will see this thread,i would like to see other peoples views.

[crumpet]

My grandmother was put on the pathway about 7 years ago, and we did not really know what it was. In my view she was euthanased as food and drink were stopped, although she was apparently on pain killers - as the drugs had rendered her unconscious it was difficult to tell.

There was only going to be one end given the lack of food/hydration, and I felt deeply that the process was so hypocritical - why not simply have euthanased her and ended her life quickly. ACTIVE steps were taken to ensure that her life would end.

We were not given the choice or the information as to whether or not she should have been on the pathway and it was a deeply distressing time. I do feel that her time had not come and she would not have died were it not for being on the pathway.

[mummylin2495]

I really feel for you crumpet I too would of been very distressed to think they had done that without any input or consultation with the family.I had never heard of it until my brother told me about it a few months ago.I wonder why that is.I think I would of been very angry and bitter if they had done that to a member of my family off their own back.

[lrichmondgabber]

Another thing about PATHWAY there was said to be a financial inducement to hospitals A bit iffy

[mummylin2495]

yes I read that too,some cash incentive for the hospital.i think the way that this has only recently come to light is a bit weird.if there is nothing wrong with it,why weren't the public told about it ?