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NHS Ageism: Case studies NHS Ageism: Case studies
(about 13 hours later)
Research published by the charity Help The Aged finds that many geriatricians think the NHS is institutionally racist. Research published by the charity Help The Aged finds that many geriatricians think the NHS is institutionally ageist.
The doctors, all members of the British Geriatrics Society, also said they would have concerns about how the NHS would treat them in old age.The doctors, all members of the British Geriatrics Society, also said they would have concerns about how the NHS would treat them in old age.
Here three women recount their experiences with the health service. JOY: "MY HUSBAND WAS WORTH FIGHTING FOR"Here three women recount their experiences with the health service. JOY: "MY HUSBAND WAS WORTH FIGHTING FOR"
Joy Matthews' husband had Parkinson's disease for 20 years.Joy Matthews' husband had Parkinson's disease for 20 years.
Joy was upset by the treatment of her husbandAlthough he had to rely on a wheelchair or scooter, he got out and about regularly, and maintained an active social life.Joy was upset by the treatment of her husbandAlthough he had to rely on a wheelchair or scooter, he got out and about regularly, and maintained an active social life.
However, he picked up a bug which was not immediately diagnosed, and was eventually transferred to intensive care.However, he picked up a bug which was not immediately diagnosed, and was eventually transferred to intensive care.
Mrs Matthews said: "On the second day, the consultant took me to one side and said: 'Your husband is a very old man and has been ill for many years.Mrs Matthews said: "On the second day, the consultant took me to one side and said: 'Your husband is a very old man and has been ill for many years.
'We understand his quality of life is poor and he probably sits in a chair all day, and his life is not worth fighting for.'We understand his quality of life is poor and he probably sits in a chair all day, and his life is not worth fighting for.
'In view of this, we will withdraw all drugs etc. and let nature take its course.''In view of this, we will withdraw all drugs etc. and let nature take its course.'
"I was astounded. Where had they got this information from?"I was astounded. Where had they got this information from?
"I explained the situation and the consultant agreed that, in that case, his life was worth fighting for."I explained the situation and the consultant agreed that, in that case, his life was worth fighting for.
"In all fairness, they then pulled out all the stops."In all fairness, they then pulled out all the stops.
"If I had agreed with him, would they have pulled the plug there and then?"If I had agreed with him, would they have pulled the plug there and then?
"Sadly, it was too late to save him, despite their best efforts."Sadly, it was too late to save him, despite their best efforts.
"However, I feel that everyone's life is worth fighting for.""However, I feel that everyone's life is worth fighting for."
JEAN: "I WAS TOLD TO GO PRIVATE"JEAN: "I WAS TOLD TO GO PRIVATE"
Jean Austin went to see her GP about problems with her foot which had been bothering her for about 18 months, and was beginning to affect her job as a librarian.Jean Austin went to see her GP about problems with her foot which had been bothering her for about 18 months, and was beginning to affect her job as a librarian.
Jean stuck to her gunsShe said: "My GP simply put it down to age.Jean stuck to her gunsShe said: "My GP simply put it down to age.
"When I challenged him, he told me to wear sensible shoes - or "treat" myself to a private consultation as a retirement present."When I challenged him, he told me to wear sensible shoes - or "treat" myself to a private consultation as a retirement present.
"His attitude was: 'Look at your age - you're coming up to 60'."His attitude was: 'Look at your age - you're coming up to 60'.
"I was about to leave his office when something sparked inside me."I was about to leave his office when something sparked inside me.
"I thought: 'I'm not taking this.'"I thought: 'I'm not taking this.'
"I'm not a forceful person, but on this occasion something made me protest."I'm not a forceful person, but on this occasion something made me protest.
"When I did, he agreed to an x-ray which showed a broken bone."When I did, he agreed to an x-ray which showed a broken bone.
"The specialist who dealt with me said it was a very nasty break which hadn't healed properly, and he took the bone out. It's been fine ever since."The specialist who dealt with me said it was a very nasty break which hadn't healed properly, and he took the bone out. It's been fine ever since.
"Mine wasn't a life-and-death case, but it was important to me."Mine wasn't a life-and-death case, but it was important to me.
"I go to the gym twice a week and I intend to remain active.""I go to the gym twice a week and I intend to remain active."
VIOLET: "DOCTORS COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN"VIOLET: "DOCTORS COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN"
Violet Simpson, 84, had been receiving treatment for angina for two years.Violet Simpson, 84, had been receiving treatment for angina for two years.
Violet insisted on treatment Two years ago she had an appointment to have an operation on a bunion on her big toe.Violet insisted on treatment Two years ago she had an appointment to have an operation on a bunion on her big toe.
However, because of her angina, she was sent for a heart scan.However, because of her angina, she was sent for a heart scan.
She said: "They found that it was not angina, but a leaky valve.She said: "They found that it was not angina, but a leaky valve.
"I asked if I could have this fixed. The attitude from doctors was: 'What are you bothered about, at your age?'."I asked if I could have this fixed. The attitude from doctors was: 'What are you bothered about, at your age?'.
"I stuck to my guns and said I wanted this job done."I stuck to my guns and said I wanted this job done.
"At long last, I have managed to get an appointment. The whole experience made me feel pushed aside.""At long last, I have managed to get an appointment. The whole experience made me feel pushed aside."