Paula Dear
BBC News
A controversial new “right to die” card is being offered to the public that allows anyone to refuse treatment in a medical emergency. Who carries it, and why? It’s a morbid question, but one that many of us have pondered at least once. If I hadn’t just escaped that dreadful accident, where would I be now? Would I rather be dead than depend on others to keep me alive?
A new card seeks to address that very question. Available in pubs, banks, libraries, GP surgeries, even some churches, the Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) card sits snugly in a wallet or purse and instructs a doctor to withhold treatment should the carrier lose the capacity to make decisions, because of an accident or illness. Dubbed the “right-to-die card”, it’s being seen by some as a short-cut to euthanasia. But its backers say it is a practical way of implementing the Mental Capacity Act, which came into force in 2007. Read more
Sphere: Related ContentTags: Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment, right-to-die card
July 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hi there
After reading your death card posting, I think you might be interested in a book called Right to Die, by Hazel McHaffie. It’s a novel that examines a political issue via a very personal story. Really powerful and worth the read.
Thanks for your postings.
Cheers
Simon
July 14th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Thanks for your comment, Simon. Books sounds interesting.