Doctor told my frail DF (92) that he has just months to live!

He has the right to know. It can help people and their families find peace and plan their future care and get the support they may need. It can also help with fees through fast track if people are usually self funding.
Knowing how long you have doesn't mean people cant keep going as long as they can but can help them accept that they may experience changes.
Sorry he has received this news.

Inthebleak

Since GP’s are not psychic I don’t think they can tell anyone how long they’ve got left if they’re fit and well with no medical conditions. Your guess would be as good as theirs

I assume OP’s DF has been told this in light of a diagnosis or multiple diagnoses and increasing frailty.

Do they really tell people now, in the absence of a life-limiting illness? I don’t know that I’d want to be told that, if I hadn’t actually asked.

I’d have hated my DF being told that. The doctor took me on one side in about May and said he wouldn’t last until Christmas. He died in July. When my DF asked me if it was the end, I told him it wasn’t. Luckily his memory went suddenly in the last week so he had no idea what was coming. It does seem to be the practice now to tell people that they’re going to die soon. My XP was told and was distraught. It would have been kinder to have said nothing. I’ve seen programmes like 24 hours in A&E where the doctor tells them. I think it’s cruel. I’m so sorry that your DF has been given this news.

Yes, these days this is normal. In the past doctors were more evasive but now it is considered best to be honest.

*these conversations are very nuanced and delicate.

Did you witness the conversation? What was the context?

I tend to find (in my work) that these are very nuance and delicate. But as your day, your dad is sharp and completely with it, so he’s the right person to have the conversation with.

Imagine how your dad would have felt if the GP had assumed he shouldn’t be privy to his own health information and had defaulted to speaking to the next of kin instead? That would be inexcusable given your dad has capacity and is able to actively participate in his own care!

Yes this is usual, your father has a right to know and it means he can participate in his care planning and treatment options.Best practice would be if a family member was present, when your father was given this upsetting news.

Do you suspect the information to be correct and in context? As in 'you have x cancer and I would suggest you have around x months to live'? If it was just guessing because he's old then no its not really appropriate to guess IMO. If its based on a relevant diagnosis then (you say he's ' sharp') then I'm not sure why it would be hidden from him?

It surely he’d want to know? My grandad is 93 and completely with it mentally, if he only had that time frame then he should have the right to know this?

In what context was he told? Did he ask, or is he ill at the moment? Seems a bit odd of the GP to say otherwise.