The Daily Telegraph

Waiting to die

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SIR – One of my mother’s oldest and dearest friends is in a nursing home, aged 96. She had a stroke a few days ago and is in “end-of-life care”, having opted for no medical interventi­on.

My mother has vascular dementia and is also in a nursing home. Because I have power of attorney over all her affairs I have also opted for no medical interventi­on, knowing that this is what she would want. However, I wonder if everyone knows the true meaning of “no medical interventi­on”. It means not only no medical treatment or hospital admittance, but also withdrawal of food and water. The nurses are not even allowed to moisten the patient’s lips.

When I visited my mother’s friend yesterday, I found her unable to move or speak. However, I know that she could hear me, because when I spoke to her she clutched my hand. I told her to squeeze my hand if she was in pain or frightened, and she did so. It could be a number of days before her death.

I am unable to understand why medics aren’t allowed to administer a drug such as morphine that would render the patient unconsciou­s, to ensure a pain-free and peaceful death. The law should be changed. Louise Broughton

Bowness-on-windermere, Cumbria

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