[pendy]

It's a difficult subject with right on both sides. However, when you consider what the NHS DOES fund, like gender reassignment surgery, it does seem we have our values a bit cockeyed. I think I would rather go quickly if only to spare my family the pain of seeing me suffer - having been there, I know how it feels.

Much more worrying is the potential, recently discussed, for refusing treatment on the basis of a person's age. If a condition is terminal, then there is little than can be done apart from making the person as comfortable as possible and limiting suffering. I would be willing to bet that all nurses know of cases where doses of opiates have been increased sufficiently to allow someone a painless, quick, and reasonably dignified exit. Not a bad idea, at that.