Archie

[Paigntonian]

The health trust wants to turn his life support off and then say he can't be moved to a hospice because he is unstable. Is it me?

[barry1010]

It is hoped Archie's passing will be properly managed and peaceful when they turn the life support off.
Moving him may cause a distressful episode that leads to an unmanaged, traumatic death.

[Neveracrossword]

Even turning Archie in his hospital bed is risky,apparently, and the doctors feel that moving him - even with all the medical equipment - poses a 'significant risk'.

[lankeela]

Not sure what difference it would make - turn it off and then move him, and let nature take its course.

[Zacs-Master]

The difference is in Barry’s first sentence.

[pastafreak]

I read that most hospices are not equipped for a case such as Archie's. They have neither the staff nor the medical equipment to support him.

[bednobs]

As I wrote in the other thread, there's absolutely no reason a peaceful death can't be achieved in a hospital setting.

[Boto]

Archie would not know any difference, this is for the mother, dragging things out

[bednobs]

What if he dies on the side of the road in the ambulance

[smurfchops]

Surely is is getting all the care he needs at the hospital. I can understand the mother, but dragging it out and arguing isn’t helping this poor boy.

[Zacs-Master]

The mother would probably try to sue.

[calmck]

Not sure how many hospices are equipped to handle patients on ventilators. If Archie is unable to breath without assistance he would have to be transported with a ventilator. I would hope that the hospital has tested to see if Archie can breath on his own. If he cannot he will die if removed from the ventilator. He might take some agonal breaths on his own but not for long. I would also assume that all tests to qualify brain stem death have been performed. It would seem that Archie is being kept alive by a ventilator and medication to sustain blood pressure. Archie should be placed in a private room with unlimited family visits and minimal invasive care. The rate of his ventilator should be decreased and if he tolerates this it should be disconnected, along with all monitoring equipment and nature allowed to take its course. A member of the medical team should be discretely present so that should there be signs of independent breathing Archie could be reassessed or allowed to die with dignity

[nero2024]

sorry to sound callus but Archie is dead already, brain stem dead his heart pumping round blood only by pumping in air into his lungs so moving him would not make any difference to the lad , only for his parents

[Sqad]

A tragic case yes, but i would guarantee that all health workers could identify the syndrome of a pumped up patient, sleeves rolled up, tight lips, arms folded ready to take on the medical fraternity over the management of their loved ones whatever the outcome.

To me this describes the Battersbee attitude and there will certainly be ,in my opinion a legal and compensatory outcome to this tragic affair.

[jno]

do you mean pumped up parent rather than patient. Sqad? I doubt Archie is in any mood to take on the medical establishment.

[Ric.ror]

Its her son!
Could they not let her have her wishes over his passing. What harm can it do him now?
If I was in her shoes I would probably do exactly the same

[ladybirder]

Parent?

[THECORBYLOON]

What would be the grounds for a, "legal and compensatory" challenge?

[pixie374]

I've just seen on Sky that his support won't be switched off yet, now family want to move him to a hospice.
It's heartbreaking all round, but I doubt all these appeals have helped his family come to terms that he died 4 months ago, and his body is decomposing. They have been on a roller coaster of false hope for months now. It's cruel all round.

[Sqad]

Well spotted jno......LOL....of course I meant parent.

[Sqad]

CORBY......no idea but I guarantee one will be found.