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| "Euthanasia by different means" |
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Euthanasia De Volkskrant leads with a report on euthanasia and palliative care, which states that palliative sedation is being used on patients too early. Palliative sedation is supposed to be applied to terminally ill patients who are expected to die naturally within two weeks. They are given medication which makes them sleep during the final phase of their lives. However, according to the report, doctors are talking to patients about a palliative alternative months in advance. Recently another report revealed that euthanasia is being used less frequently. Chairperson of the five regional monitoring committees for euthanasia, Reina de Valk, says she does not know how often palliative sedation is used in patients because doctors are only obliged to report cases of actual euthanasia. She doubts that it is being used as a way to avoid the paperwork and risks faced by doctors applying euthanasia. It is very labour intensive, with doctors having to check on patients every day. She is more concerned with the medical professionalism of doctors who apply palliative sedation prematurely. "It is just euthanasia by different means, because without food and water anyone dies after a week." Cheryl Eckstein Founder President Compassionate Healthcare Network (CHN) |
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