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Thursday, July 28, 2005Leslie Burke won his original case The General Medical Council has won its appeal against a ruling which gave a seriously-ill patient the right to stop doctors withdrawing food and drink. Leslie Burke, 45, who has a degenerative brain condition, fears artificial nutrition could be stopped against his wishes when he cannot talk. Mr Burke, from Lancaster, had won a landmark ruling, supporting his right to artificial nutrition and hydration. But the GMC appealed, saying doctors could be put in an impossible position. Following the Appeal Court verdict, the GMC said it hoped Mr Burke was now reassured he would receive the treatment he needs, including artificial nutrition and hydration and that nothing in its guidance prevented this. It's hard to see how he could be reassured when they took him to court to make sure they didn't have to follow his explicit wishes. UPDATE: Reader observation: You didn't put in the very chilling double-speak from one of the heads of the medical council: "Patients should be reassured by this judgement which emphasises the partnership needed to resolve end of life issues" -Professor Sir Graeme Catto, of the GMC Reassured? Partnership? Partnership of one (the doc)?A big step towards 'mercy killing' against one's wishes. Yes, it is. posted by Sydney on 7/28/2005 01:56:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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