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The General Medical Council issued its version of "Withholding and Withdrawing LifeProlonging Treatments: Good Practice in Decision-Making" in early August. Though more tactful than the BMA recommendations in 1999, the sense is the same. The motto of the GMC is "Protecting patients, guiding doctors". There is little protection for patients who cannot speak for themselves in paragaph 38: "Always consult a clinician with relevant experience (who may be from another discipline such as nursing) in cases where.... you are considering withholding or withdrawing artificial nutrition or hydration from a patient who is not imminently dying, although in a very serious condition, and whose views cannot be determined..." Relatives of stroke victims who have gone into hospital should take warning. The label "REHAB" on the ward may just indicate someone's perverted sense of humour (see Item 1 inside).
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