And now, the Anti-MVNHS©

Yesterday, we reported on the sad fate awaiting seniors who trust the Much Vaunted National Health System© to keep them alive. As we noted, many are forced onto a lethal "pathway," denied fluid and meds.

In response to this growing scandal, "the anti-euthanasia charity Alert is distributing cards to patients to prevent this happening. The cards simply read: 'Please do not give me the Liverpool Care Pathway treatment without my informed consent or that of a relative.'"

The problem with the Pathway is that it is often "prescribed" without the permission (or knowledge) of the patient or his (or her) advocate. It's an attractive option - for the MVNHS©, natch - because it reduces costs with little or no effort. According to Dr Gillian Craig, a retired geriatrician and former vice-chairman of the Medical Ethics Alliance, "[i]f you are cynical about it, as I am, you can see it as a cost-cutting measure, if you don't want your beds to be filled with old people."

The cards act as garlic to vampires, hopefully fending off over-zealous providers from pulling the plug prematurely. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to enforce them; that is, what's the consequence to the provider if that card is ignored? After all, it's the MVNHS© that's footing the bill (hey, it's free health care, right?).