My husband is in hospital and lost the ability to swallow although he still shows a wish to be given a drink and now does swallow any saliva. He has an ng and is currently nil by mouth since he had a downturn last week from which he appears to have recovered. We are smack in the middle of selling and buying houses which will mean a move to 100 miles away in the very near future.
The hospital are insistent that no other hospital would agree to accept him while he's fitted with an ng and that therefore he must be fitted with a peg. I realise that the end may be within sight, but I've always intended to care for him at home as I have so far, and even more do I want his last days to be spent at home where I can tend to him in privacy.
I understand that if a peg is fitted there is then no alternative to his dying from an infection or indeed multiple infections and that it would only mean a life extension of a few months.
Does anyone know whether in fact it is illegal to cease feeding through a peg so that come the dreaded day he might drift off in peace?
The hospital are insistent that no other hospital would agree to accept him while he's fitted with an ng and that therefore he must be fitted with a peg. I realise that the end may be within sight, but I've always intended to care for him at home as I have so far, and even more do I want his last days to be spent at home where I can tend to him in privacy.
I understand that if a peg is fitted there is then no alternative to his dying from an infection or indeed multiple infections and that it would only mean a life extension of a few months.
Does anyone know whether in fact it is illegal to cease feeding through a peg so that come the dreaded day he might drift off in peace?