Re: Baby with brain damage dies after parents run out of legal options
The BMJ coverage of Isaiah Hastrup feels very disappointing to me.
The title says that the baby died “after [the] parents run out of legal options”. Is it not more accurate to say that this poor baby died because of his incurable condition?
I’m not, of course, saying that doctors always know best. I know that is not the case. But the expert medical opinion is apparently clear that more treatment would not be in the baby’s best interests. Why is the BMJ apparently taking another view?
The use of the words “failed” and “last ditch application" perpetuate an adversarial approach which surely cant help anyone: the baby, the parents or the clinical staff.
Most importantly, I don’t think that yet more legal action is “the only remaining option”. Family members can sit with, be with, and spend scarce time appreciating and loving, and saying good-bye to their loved ones.
Does the BMJ really not consider this is an option?
Rapid Response:
Re: Baby with brain damage dies after parents run out of legal options
The BMJ coverage of Isaiah Hastrup feels very disappointing to me.
The title says that the baby died “after [the] parents run out of legal options”. Is it not more accurate to say that this poor baby died because of his incurable condition?
I’m not, of course, saying that doctors always know best. I know that is not the case. But the expert medical opinion is apparently clear that more treatment would not be in the baby’s best interests. Why is the BMJ apparently taking another view?
The use of the words “failed” and “last ditch application" perpetuate an adversarial approach which surely cant help anyone: the baby, the parents or the clinical staff.
Most importantly, I don’t think that yet more legal action is “the only remaining option”. Family members can sit with, be with, and spend scarce time appreciating and loving, and saying good-bye to their loved ones.
Does the BMJ really not consider this is an option?
Competing interests: No competing interests