Certainly not in the UK. That kind of discrimination is specifically ruled out. The National Service Framework for older people states its number one aim is: "To ensure that older people are never unfairly discriminated against in accessing NHS [National Health Service os [sic] social care services as a result of their age." [http://www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/olderpeople/]

There is still a risk, though, that individual doctors might occasionally not investigate as much as they would otherwise do, and just write off symptoms as being "just old age" due to pressures of workload.

Cheers,
Mike


On Thursday, Dec 18, 2003, at 05:03 Europe/London, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:


Mike - this raised my curiosity. We certainly have doctors in the US who
would, as you say, Not investigate thoroughly in thei instance. However, I am
wondering if there are any guidelines in the UK stating that certain treatments
may not be pursued for clients over a certain age. My Mother has a friend in
Denmark. The friend's father recently died from cancer. He was given no
treatment other than palliative. My Mom's friend states that they do not use
chemo, radiation, or surgery for cancer in patients over 65. Suzanne, is this
true? Other non US OTs, does your health system have any such guidelines? If
so, do you agree that chemo, radiation, & surgery for CA patiens over 65 is
futile? To me, it seems wrong to deny chemo, radiation, surgery for all CA
patiens over 65. In some cases, depending on the overall health of the person, I
agree that the care may be futile, but a blanket rule to that effect seems
wrong to me. It feels like discrimination against elders.
-- Jody


In a message dated 12/17/03 2:06:09 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Sometimes doctors tend not to investigate quite as thoroughly as they
might when the patient is elderly and already has dementia.

Cheers,
Mike


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