Doctors risk being struck off the register

DOCTORS who act contrary to the wishes of dying or comatose patients could be judged to be causing harm and struck off under new rules from the medical regulator. The General Medical Council will publish draft guidance this month advising doctors how they should approach decisions surrounding the “end of life”, including whether to withhold treatment from terminally ill patients, turn off life support or attempt resuscitation. The advice for all 150,000 practising doctors in Britain avoids mention of assisted suicide, or actively helping a patient to die. – Times Mon 090309