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My podcast for @TheBMA (16mins) on role of family friends in decisions about Clinically Assisted Nutrition + Hydration. If you're short of time, watch the 5 key messages to doctors (starts 11:50)
No 1: Don't leave it to families to raise CANH-withdrawal.
No 1: Don't leave it to families to raise CANH-withdrawal.
No. 2: To make a best interests decision, you need to know yr patient's values, wishes, feelings + beliefs and the decision they would make if they were able to do so. That's what the law says (Mental Capacity Act). So you need to consult with family and friends.
No. 3 Provide family/friends with honest information about the best - and worst - level of recovery the patient might realistically achieve, using concrete descriptions that relate to person's own view of 'quality of life'.
No. 4 The decision whether or not to give, continue, stop or restart CANH is YOUR decision as the responsible clinician (if there's no valid+applicableAdvance Decision + no LPA with relevant powers). In community settings, the decision-maker is usually the GP.
No 5 Families need information+support. So too do care staff and clinicians. It's stressful for everyone. Check out our website ( http://cdoc.org.uk ) - esp for support with prolonged disorders of consciousness or email: [email protected]
