Brit doctors: don't treat people who make bad choices or get old

ZenGum · 01-27-2008, 11:43 AM

We touched on this sort of issue a few months back, in a thread about an overpopulated island. Finite resources, demand exceeding supply, hard decisions.

It isn't a case of doctors saying, we've got plenty of resources but you aren't worthy. Rather, doctors (and medical administrators really) are saying, our limited resources would be better used on this person with a better likelihood of a long and productive life afterwards, than on this other person who has a much less chance of that.

It's a very hard decision, but it is one we have to face, unless we want to greatly increase spending on health. Taxes, anyone?

01-27-2008, 11:43 AM	#5
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	We touched on this sort of issue a few months back, in a thread about an overpopulated island. Finite resources, demand exceeding supply, hard decisions. It isn't a case of doctors saying, we've got plenty of resources but you aren't worthy. Rather, doctors (and medical administrators really) are saying, our limited resources would be better used on this person with a better likelihood of a long and productive life afterwards, than on this other person who has a much less chance of that. It's a very hard decision, but it is one we have to face, unless we want to greatly increase spending on health. Taxes, anyone? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

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