To think Gill Pharaoh had the ideal end of life

“Being tired of life” has been mentioned above as a justification for assisted death being available. But what if a fit, healthy 25 year old decides they are tired of life? Should assisted death be available to them? If not, at what point do we decide that someone who says they are tired of life is actually of sound mind and not suffering from depression that could be treated?

It can take 2 weeks+ for pneumonia to kill someone

How adorable. ‘You’re wrong but I’m not going to argué but you’re wrong’.

Go ahead darling. I work in healthcare policy and can definitely say this is broadly true and more, with sources.

Your poor cousin!! Pneumonia used to be called “the old man’s friend” because it provided a quick, relatively painless end for the elderly and frail before modern antibiotics existed, sparing them a prolonged decline.

😂
What is question here? Of course raising the minimum wage doesn’t solve the caring problem. But it makes low wage jobs more attractive. Feel free to do some reading on your own. Raising the minimum wage doesn’t cause inflation or unemployment and despite all the rhetoric, most businesses do not move.

Who voted in the governments we had? There were always parties that had manifestos to increase taxation and spending but people didn't want them then and polls show they don't want them now. We got the governments we deserved. Some of u want an insurance based system like our European equivalents but people like to pretend that the NHS will work.

Raising minimum wage also won't solve the care crisis and will arguably make it worse. Who will pay the increased costs? People can't afford the current costs already. I think you are the one that's very naive

Too simplistic by half but this is not the thread for me to argue it.

Fundamentally, death is NOT the worst thing that can happen to a person.
But it is also about choice. I want to be able to choose the time of my death (and for it to be successfully assisted/managed). I want it to be before I become sick/incapacitated/ demented / in need of permanent care. But because of my age, and the current laws in this country, I think I am unlikely to get my wish. That makes me sad.
What other people might want or choose is unique to them, but many of us are being denied our wishes.

Politicians absolutely ate the problem when they substantially underinvested in healthcare resources for years and systematically begun the process of dismantling the NHS. All the comments about magically funding are so woefully naive. This isn’t about one political party either. This has been going on for decades, the UK healthcare system lags behind most european countries in capital investment and spending per capita on healthcare. There is money and has been and it’s not about the current crisis. There has been conscious choices not to increase funding which cuts caring resources first. Not to mention other policies like not raising the minimum wage or making caring roles attractive as careers. I can remember massive campaigns in the early 2000s to attract new teachers because I almost signed up. Saying it’s not the fault of government policy is brilliant, because their campaign to not have any accountability is working.

Politicians absolutely ate the problem when they substantially underinvested in healthcare resources for years and systematically begun the process of dismantling the NHS. All the comments about magically funding are so woefully naive. This isn’t about one political party either. This has been going on for decades, the UK healthcare system lags behind most european countries in capital investment and spending per capita on healthcare. There is money and has been and it’s not about the current crisis. There has been conscious choices not to increase funding which cuts caring resources first. Not to mention other policies like not raising the minimum wage or making caring roles attractive as careers. I can remember massive campaigns in the early 2000s to attract new teachers because I almost signed up. Saying it’s not the fault of government policy is brilliant, because their campaign to not have any accountability is working.

It’s the result of modern medicine though - years ago when the only option was to be cared for by family (daughters/granddaughters realistically!) we got old, ill, and died promptly. Now we get old, ill, and live on for decades. Someone is providing that care, wether its a family member or the state. And that costs, both financially and emotionally. My cousin spent nearly 30yrs caring for her mum, she got to 103, and now she’s nearly 80 herself!

There is no shortage of people who are already doctors or of UK people wanting to train as doctors. There is a surplus of tens of thousands of qualified doctors who can't find a training place for a specialism.

Politicians aren't the problem.

The problem is the success of modern health care in keeping ill old people alive.

All the comments about old people being a drain and no one to care for them are a bit disturbing. it sounds like blaming a person for aging gracefully and they should just die for the good of society. The problem is the government and no planning or foresight or care and typically turning people against each other. ‘There’s no money’ is such a load of sht. Why don’t people hold politicians accountable? because THEY are the problem. Not old people.

The number of under 25's entering nursing has increased . There's never been a shortage of nurses, there is a shortage of budget to employ them.

There is no shortage of nurses either, there is a shortage of nursing jobs because health authorities/trusts can’t afford to employ as many as they need.

There is no shortage of nurses either, there is a shortage of nursing jobs because health authorities/trusts can’t afford to employ as many as they need.

The bunch of senior and experienced nurses who I met on holiday recently were unanimous that the answer for nursing is to drop the degree and qualify on the wards like it used to be.

No student loan then, either.

There is no shortage of people who are already doctors or of UK people wanting to train as doctors. There is a surplus of tens of thousands of qualified doctors who can't find a training place for a specialism.

I’m sorry, you’re right about doctors. There are fewer people going into nursing and caring though. It’s financial but also not such a “nice” job anymore. (Severe workplace stress, heavy workload and staff shortages.) Can any of this be fixed in our lifetime? I really don’t think so.

There is no shortage of people who are already doctors or of UK people wanting to train as doctors. There is a surplus of tens of thousands of qualified doctors who can't find a training place for a specialism.

It’s not just about finding the money somehow, it’s finding people who want to be carers, nurses, doctors etc. It’s very hard work and people have more complex health needs than ever before.

All the comments about old people being a drain and no one to care for them are a bit disturbing. it sounds like blaming a person for aging gracefully and they should just die for the good of society. The problem is the government and no planning or foresight or care and typically turning people against each other. ‘There’s no money’ is such a load of sht. Why don’t people hold politicians accountable? because THEY are the problem. Not old people.