But in certain situations family are often asked (and IMO should be) - although I know some medics do try to insist on treatments relatives don't want. Friend of mine was forced to argue with hosp. staff about a feeding tube they had stuck down her mother's throat -she was in her 90s, refusing food and drink and drifting away quite peacefully until then. As she said, you really don't need such arguments at such a time, and what had possessed them to think it was a good idea, or at all kind in the circs., was beyond her.
Though I guess it often comes down to NHS staff being terrified of being sued for neglect if they fail to do something that could keep someone even with a very poor quality of life going just a little bit longer.
