As an NHS palliative care doctor, I say: let Alfie Evans die with dignity | Rachel Clarke

The British toddler’s illness is terminal, and helping his family come to terms with that is the job of his doctors and carers

• Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor

Of all the comments from all the opportunists seeking to make political capital from a dying child, the most asinine, surely, comes from former US congressman Joe Walsh. The talk radio provocateur took to Twitter this week to ask: “Why does an American need an AR-15?” His answer: “To make sure what’s happening to #AlfieEvans never happens here. That’s why.” As an NHS palliative care doctor, I assume Walsh is advocating semi-automatic assault rifles to protect against people like me. As a mother, I can scarcely comprehend someone using a child’s plight to make a case for the weapons used in many of America’s bloodiest school shootings.

Related: Alfie Evans' parents to meet doctors to discuss taking child home

Withdrawal of care is neither killing nor murder, but enables a patient to die with comfort and dignity

Continue reading... April 26, 2018 at 05:22PM