Unbreakable Vows

[Neri]

No: HPFGUIDX 165719


> Neri:
> . I suspect that a
> > doctor would not be allowed to let a diabetes patient die by
> > withholding insulin from him (even if that patient asks the doctor to
> > do so) 
> 
> Pippin:
> Not in Britain. In fact your hypothetical doctor might be charged with
> assault if he  administered  treatment against the patient's will or
> refused to discontinue it. 
> 
> 
> http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health/
> nhs_patients_rights.htm#Righttorefusetreatment
> 

Neri:
I believe you cite the irrelevant clause. There's nothing about dying
in there. Here's a more relevant clause from that same document

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health/nhs_patients_rights.htm#Righttodie

Quoting the relevant part:

"Right to Die

The law concerning whether a person has the right to die is unclear.
You have a right to refuse or stop treatment at any time, even if this
means that you may die. However, it is illegal for a doctor to omit or
carry out treatment with the specific intention of inducing or
hastening death."

They don't say what the doctor would be charged with. However, note
that this website is concerned with patients' rights, not with
doctors' rights.


Neri