Panel rules in keeping gravely ill man aliveBy Robert Cribbted a persons values and beliefs against sands of deaths, it takes a lot of love to TORONTO STARhis objective medical condition, he want someone here forever, but more said. Theres a substantial obligation love to know when to let go. Letting Desmond Watson has won a to the patient who, at that point, is go is the ultimate form of love, and if reprieve.among the most vulnerable people in you are a religious family you must A provincial panel has ordered doc-our society. How can you be more know that he or she will go to a better tors at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial vulnerable than to be dying and have place.Hospital (OTMH) to act against their other people adjudicating your As an intensive care nurse at own wishes and provide him with rights?Toronto General Hospital, Peter aggressive, life-saving treatment if his Halton Healthcare Services, which Huggonson says medical profession-health falls into crisis.operates OTMH, issued a written als face these kinds of end-of-life chal-The finding by the Consent and statement saying it respects the lenges daily.Capacity Board resolves a dispute direction given by the Consent and It is an uphill battle dealing with between the hospitals medical team Capacity Board and will continue to families who have unrealistic expecta-and the family of the 87-year-old a work with the patients substitute tions of their loved ones prognosis dispute increasingly playing out in decision-maker for consent to treat-and return to a normal life I have hospitals across the country.ment as the need arises.seen veteran bedside nurses almost in TARA WALTON / TORONTO STAR After 14 months of treating him In testimony before the hearing, tears because they believe they have REPRIEVE:Maria Watson stands in her husband's ICU hospital room at for dementia, pneumonia, bed sores hospital doctors and nurses argued reduced themselves to the level of a Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital holding a portrait of her family from 1963. and other ailments, Desmonds medi-Desmond is suffering in a state of non-torturer.Her husband, Desmond Watson, 87, who has advanced dementia, has been in cal team recently sought permission communicative and irreversible He says hes also seen patients the ICU room for 14 months.from his wife Maria to remove heroic dementia and that no improvement denied access to intensive care beds measures from their treatment plan can be expected.because they were occupied by long-hospital officials and Desmonds fam-versary with her husband in June. and care for him as a palliative Being kept alive in this way, I term patients. ily, the three-member panel found (Hospital medical staff) gave me hell, patient.cant imagine anybody would wish It is a daily struggle to accom-that the wishes of Maria, Desmonds lots of sleepless nights, but its over. I Desmonds wife and two of his this, testified Dr. David McConachie, modate critical patients in this prov-substitute decision maker, must be did it.daughters firmly opposed that hands-one of Desmonds doctors.ince, he says. I can sympathize respected.Mark Handelman, her lawyer who off approach, insisting the devout Dr. Brian Berger, a palliative care with Mrs. Watson But ultimately The panels written reasons for the argued the familys case before the Catholic would have wanted to be physician at York Central Hospital in we all have to realize that our time judgment are expected to be released board, said there are no real winners given every chance at life despite any Richmond Hill, said his hospital here is limited If one believes in a in a week.in highly-contentious end-of-life cases suffering he may be enduring.encourages an early palliative care loving God and a resurrected after-Ive been carrying this thing for so that can only be settled through litiga-Following three days of often emo-consultation with patients. life, why is there this terrible fear of long, said a jubilant Maria, who plans tion.tional testimony from doctors, nurses, Having borne witness to thou-it?to celebrate her 70th wedding anni-This was a case that basically pit- Thorough, consistent and LEASE FOR reliable home cleaning 100% satisfaction guaranteed*1.9% APR Regular and occasional for 48 months service Spring CleaningMonthly Payment Gift Certifi cates$258with $0 down payment**e-mail: anderson@mollymaid.caCalling this deal a steal is an understatement. 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