How to get tube feeding stopped, advice needed.

[tleaf]

Apologies in advance if this upsets anyone. Briefly our 70 year old relative has been in deteriorating health for approx 8 years with multiple problems including heart, liver(not alcohol related), arthritis etc. Hospital acquired infection following joint replacement op led to major problems compounded by strokes, falls and also Parkinsons was diagnosed. Despite a home -care package, after 2 years, he eventually had to go ino a nursing home. By that time he was completely immobile, incontinent, unable to speak and with increasing difficulty swallowing. He continued to deteriorate and after major seizures (scans have not revealed cause), he is now in hospital. Over many years he made his wshes known that for himself he did not believe in resuscitation nor to be kept alive without quality of life. Others could believe what they wanted. The situation has now arisen that despite his wishes being made clear to staff the nasogastric tube, which they explained was just for pain relief and a relaxant to relieve the violent tremours, is now being used to feed him. Unfortunately his wishes were not put in writing, but all the family agree he would not wish to be forced to live in this 'locked in ' type state, when the medics agree there is now no prospect of any improvement. Does anyone know how we could get the tube/force feeding stopped and allow him to die peacefully, as he would wish?

The hospital have a duty to feed patients in their care, death by starvation is not a peaceful death. Please make an appointment to speak to them, if the nurses on the ward are not helpful in organising this call PALS. Despite the ridiculous publicity about it what you need is the Liverpool care pathway, this will ensure your relative receives appropriate care at the end of life. I'm sorry you find yourself in such a sad and stressful situation and hope you manage to sort this out.

Thank you for your prompt reply BB. I too firmly believe in the correctly carried out Liverpool Care Pathway and hoped that is what he would be placed on without delay. What confuses me, is why feed artificially and prolong the suffering when naturally, as he is unable to eat and if treatment were withdrawn he would die sooner but hopefully eased by effective pain relief? If the consultant continues to be evasive then we will contact PALS, Thanks again,

After another sleepless night and your advice BB, the immediate family decided to meet at the bedside early today. They were therefore able to waylay the consultant on his round. He heard all their concerns, checked the history and current results and then agreed to stop the feeding. and confirmed DNAR. He did say that is what he would want for his own parent. In his opinion death should be within 3 days, during which time there will just be pain and anti-agitation type drugs and tlc as per the Liverpool Care Pathway. Hopefully things will go to plan and bring about an end to all this suffering. On reflection it does seem that all the discussions with all levels of staff and the stacks of notes taken HAVE LITTLE EFFECT WITHOUT THE CONSULTANT'S PERSONAL INSTRUCTIONS.