DNR.

If we are to live in a world without euthanasia - and I make no comment on the rights or wrongs of that - it is essential that the opinions of the terminally ill be taken into account and acted upon.
It is recently reported that doctors are frequently engaging in 'playing God' by resuscitating patients at point of death. These often include people who have no hope of any quality of life.

Two years ago my Mum was in exactly this position. She had made a 'living will' with DNR and other instructions. This was lodged at her Doctor's surgery.

When she was removed from our house after a collapse, I informed the ambulance staff of this and they promised 'to pass it on'.

In the hospital ward I explained this to the duty staff also on the following day.

10 days down the line, the hospital rang me to explain that they had shocked Mum's heart to prevent her dying!

She was 90, frail, fragile, in pain, going blind, totally satisfied that her life was over, in a prayerful state, wanting to be released and they would not let her!

I spoke to the doctor half an hour later and asked 'Why?'

He replied that he had not known about the DNR and had 'made a judgement call'. Scandalous.

Thankfully, God was more merciful and she died 16 hours later after I had prayed for just that outcome five hours earlier.

These matters are NOT something to brush under the carpet.