The old man's friend

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7538.431-a

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Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary health care

University College London

My father is dead. Given his physical, cognitive, and emotional status over the preceding few weeks, that is no bad thing. He received excellent NHS care, was not mismanaged in any way, and I was involved in all key decisions.

He lived in a residential home. After a series of small strokes he developed pneumonia and was sent into hospital. Not unreasonably, and with my full consent, the pneumonia was treated. After 32 days of impeccable nursing care, another stroke, and …