Denied hope

An association to assist sick people who want to die a natural death. Those wearing a specific medaillon and card are ensured that if they should fall terribly ill and should become unable to decide of their own health, they will be adequately treated. While an increasing number of doctors and health workers tend to suspend treatments and feeding to serious and terminally ill patients, Antonia Tully created the “Patients First Network”, providing patients and their relatives all the counselling needed to request treatment envisaged by the Law. The association is part of Britain’s pro-life movement. Silvia Guzzetti interviewed Antonia Tully for SIR Europe. How was “Patients First Network”created?“Patients first network was set up because many people rang the “Association for the protection of unborn children” voicing their concern regarding the fact that their relatives were being denied fluids, food and medical treatment while they were being hospitalized. We therefore decided to establish an apposite helpline, run by volunteers and open each day from ten in the morning until ten in the evening”. Is this a mentality which draws inspiration from euthanasia?“It sure is. These attitudes are the logical consequence of a pro-euthanasia culture, whereby the life of an elderly person who is no longer self-sufficient is not worthwhile living. After forty years of legalized abortion, whereby over 80% of the newborn affected by the down syndrome are being aborted, human life has lost all of its meaning”. What does the legislation envisage in the case of seriously ill patients? “The ‘Mental capacity act’ enforced in 2005 actually legalizes euthanasia by default. When patients are in good state of health they can sign a document, the so-called “living will”, asking that fluids, treatments and cures be administered in case of seriously ill diseases and risk of death. For the first time, the key decision regarding the patient’s life is left to the patient himself, and not to the doctor who has always been the protector of human life”. What has this change been caused by?“The possibility that a seriously ill person might recover is not envisaged. This possibility is ruled out from the very start with no reason. It no longer depends on the doctor to decide whether the patient has a chance of recovery. While in the past the patient’s survival was the guiding value of doctors’ profession, today living conditions are paramount. Thus life in itself has gained a secondary role. It has led to a significant shift of emphasis in the legislation”. What happens if the patient hasn’t signed a living will? Is he left to die? “The British health service, poorly managed and constantly short of funds, in the past 10-20 years was marked by the widespread belief that treatment to the seriously and terminally ill ought to be suspended. The patient is initially treated in the most appropriate ways, but as time goes by strange things happen. The drip-feed is out of place, the patient isn’t adequately hydrated and is given sedation in increasing amounts. Parents are shocked when they realize what’s happening. They call us and tell us they want the patient to die in a natural way. They reject the idea that his life will be terminated prematurely”. How do you help them?“We listen to them, we support them, we suggest them to ask for an appointment with the physician in charge of their relative’s health and go to the appointment with a list of questions and accompanied by a relative or a friend. We also suggest them to take notes of everything going on in the hospital. At times we suggested them to contact a lawyer or a doctor, but it’s not always necessary. If they ask in the appropriate ways patients will be given the appropriate medication”. Isn’t the law infringed when the patient is left to die even though he didn’t sign a “living will”? “Tecnhnically speaking, the law is infringed. But as often happens, the details make the difference and medical profession can justify the deliberate withdrawal of fluids and medication since deemed necessary for a particular case. In Liverpool for example, two hospitals and a hospice developed “integrated treatment guidelines” to be followed in the last hours of life of terminal cancer patients. In theory, the intention is to ensure the patients a serene and dignified death. But in reality, patients can be given high amounts of sedation which eventually cause their death”.Do you believe the work you do has an impact?“People register in the ‘patients’ first network’, if this problem touches them personally. However, people don’t usually look into these issues until they are directly involved”.