31-Mar-2005, 03:19 PM
I doubt very much the Terry Schiavo situation would happen in the UK. For a start the NHS wouldn't pay to keep someone on life support for 15 years if they were brain dead. Over here the only person who can consent to medical treatment for a person over the age of 16 is the person themselves. If that person is not able to give consent, then two doctors have to decide on the appropriate treatment plan. Fanily can express their views, but cannot insist on any particular course of action.
When my brother was proclaimed brain dead after being run over almost two years ago, there was no question of family giving any consent - we were *told* his life support would be turned off at 9am. But then neither was there any question of us wanting him to go on living when there was no hope of any cognitive function. His injuries were horrendous - it was kinder to let him die.
When my brother was proclaimed brain dead after being run over almost two years ago, there was no question of family giving any consent - we were *told* his life support would be turned off at 9am. But then neither was there any question of us wanting him to go on living when there was no hope of any cognitive function. His injuries were horrendous - it was kinder to let him die.