介绍:
In Britain, a couple whose dying daughter 'lost hope' after being told she was terminally ill is now campaigning for patients to have the right not to know their fate.
24-year-old Vickie Harvey had previously fought leukaemia twice - but her conditions deteriorated rapidly after being told 'in graphic detail' how she was going to die.
Her parents Eric and Lyn said they felt powerless and all they could do was comfort their daughter and wait for the inevitable. They are now campaigning to give the dying the right not to know their illnesses are terminal.
Comments
Qinduo
Brad on the Daily Mail's website says, "I want to know. I have the right to know. I do feel for these parents but nobody has the right to withhold information that is pertinent to me and my life. For some it is an opportunity to have all those important last conversations and to place our affairs in order for our loved ones and family."
Ben
Nikki also from Mail Online says "Individual patients should have the right to choose whether they want to know or not want to know. Their wishes should be first and foremost."
Mike
On the Daily Mirror's website Lars writes "Did Vickie express this desire not to be given the bad news by the medical people responsible for her care - or just her parents? Maybe in that 30-minute conversation she did ask to be told? Doctors cannot and should not lie to patients about their prognosis".
Discussion
The couple set up an online petition in support of their waiver idea and it has so far received more than 5,000 signatures.
Mr. Harvey said: 'We want to stop other families going through what we did. Someone should have an equal right not to know, as they do to know about their future. That was Vickie's wish.'
A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said: 'We met with Mr. and Mrs. Harvey to discuss their concerns and are pleased the meeting had a positive outcome.
'We have spoken to the family since and we and they are satisfied the matter has been dealt with appropriately.'
Miss Harvey died on December 10. Her parents have since written to Worcester Royal Hospital to complain and they met hospital bosses in February.
Comments
Qinduo
Katie on Twitter writes "This is so sad but what happens if a law is in place, and someone or their family chooses not to know, and then the affected person changes their mind. If they are adults and they ask the question, what do we expect the health care professional to do - lie?! I guarantee the next petition will be to stop adult patients being told lies. "
Mike
David also on Twitter says "You've got to be joking. You've got to be realistic in life and you must be given all the facts. I would definitely want to know the truth for any of my family and myself. It would be cruel not to give you a bad prognosis and to be given false hope."
Ben
And finally we have Emma from the Guardian …"I totally agree with this - everyone is different and we all react in different ways. Vickie's parents should have had their wishes listened to. Shame on the hospital. I'm wishing them all the best."
