My 90 year old mother has just moved from hospital to a care home. Prior to her discharge a doctor came to talk to us both about her condition- which is stage 4 heart failure. The doctor, who did not pull the curtains round the bed for a semblance of privacy, then asked what my mother’s view would be of invasive procedures should her condition worsen. My mother confirmed that she would prefer nature to take its course. ‘ what if you need to come to hospital for intravenous antibiotics?’ ‘That would be fine’ replies mother.
I found it odd to have such a significant conversation as part of the discharge process & was further surprised when the doctor subsequently phoned me to relay another conversation she had had with mum. This time about cpr. I am comfortable that the recorded decisions reflect mum’s views but find the circumstances peculiar. I know mum is frail & inevitably moving towards end of life but no doctor has said as much. Rather than framing this discussion in the context of mum’s circumstances it has come along as a total tick box exercise. I also note that on mum’s discharge letter it says she does not have capacity. So why have the conversation with her?
Has anyone else experienced this?
I found it odd to have such a significant conversation as part of the discharge process & was further surprised when the doctor subsequently phoned me to relay another conversation she had had with mum. This time about cpr. I am comfortable that the recorded decisions reflect mum’s views but find the circumstances peculiar. I know mum is frail & inevitably moving towards end of life but no doctor has said as much. Rather than framing this discussion in the context of mum’s circumstances it has come along as a total tick box exercise. I also note that on mum’s discharge letter it says she does not have capacity. So why have the conversation with her?
Has anyone else experienced this?