Alternatives to euthanasia: Palliative Care

 Pioneered by Dame Cicely Saunders Born in 1918 Dame Cicely trained as a nurse, a medical social worker and finally as a doctor. In 1948 she became involved with the care of patients with terminal illness and pioneered what we now call palliative care.

 "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life- threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual."

 Palliative care in a hospice is a type and philosophy of care that focuses on: Managing a patient's pain and symptoms. Attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.

 Palliative care at home is a type and philosophy of care that focuses on: Managing a patient's pain and symptoms. Attending to their emotional and spiritual needs.

 Take a note of some examples of palliative care in the hospice

 Take a note of some examples of palliative care in the home

 Do you think everyone gets this kind of care?  If it could be provided for everyone would this kind of care be a more moral option than euthanasia?  Would this be a more expensive option?  Should money ever influence our moral thinking?  In a world of finite resources should we direct society’s money elsewhere?

 Is it important morally to have the choice between palliative care and euthanasia?

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