We (my father, siblings and I) have healthcare POA for Mum, which we registered about a year ago but have never used.
Recently Mum's condition has deteriorated suddenly. The doctor keeps giving her different antibiotics, and has now prescribed 4 hourly paracetamol - yesterday, Mum had 8. Dad is very concerned about this - he's very anti-medicine anyway, but is particularly concerned about the effect the paracetamol may be having on mum's liver. As an ex nurse, I can't see any reason for the paracetamol; she has no fever, and does not appear to be in any pain.
Dad has asked the CH to stop the tablets, pointing out that he has POA (which they have a copy of). They say they can't because the doctor has prescribed it so they have to keep giving it. Is this correct? Surely POA means that you're empowered to make decisions on behalf of the person who granted it? If I were in hospital and a nurse tried to get me to take something, I would be perfectly at liberty to refuse, regardless of the fact that it had been prescribed for me. Why then don't we have the right to refuse medicine on mum's behalf?
Recently Mum's condition has deteriorated suddenly. The doctor keeps giving her different antibiotics, and has now prescribed 4 hourly paracetamol - yesterday, Mum had 8. Dad is very concerned about this - he's very anti-medicine anyway, but is particularly concerned about the effect the paracetamol may be having on mum's liver. As an ex nurse, I can't see any reason for the paracetamol; she has no fever, and does not appear to be in any pain.
Dad has asked the CH to stop the tablets, pointing out that he has POA (which they have a copy of). They say they can't because the doctor has prescribed it so they have to keep giving it. Is this correct? Surely POA means that you're empowered to make decisions on behalf of the person who granted it? If I were in hospital and a nurse tried to get me to take something, I would be perfectly at liberty to refuse, regardless of the fact that it had been prescribed for me. Why then don't we have the right to refuse medicine on mum's behalf?