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NEW/EXC - deeply shocking story. GPs are STILL begging Home Sec @patel4witham to relax & #39;Shipman& #39; rules on prescriptions that mean people are dying at home with #CoronaVirus facing “significant and unnecessary distress and pain” 1/Thread
https://www.ft.com/content/eedbe1cc-5773-4e07-b9a3-76177f9ad7f1">https://www.ft.com/content/e...
https://www.ft.com/content/eedbe1cc-5773-4e07-b9a3-76177f9ad7f1">https://www.ft.com/content/e...
The really shocking part is that Royal College of GPS @rcgp raised this several weeks ago, along with @hospiceuk and others.
The rules mean some people in pain and distress are waiting "hours" for morphine and muscle relaxants that can make death dignified. /2
The rules mean some people in pain and distress are waiting "hours" for morphine and muscle relaxants that can make death dignified. /2
That is not me talking but the chair of @rgcp Martin Marshall @MartinRCGP in a letter to Priti Patel begging her to act after what is now nearly a month of inaction....it& #39;s an astonishing letter. (My highlights) /3
https://www.rcgp.org.uk/-/media/Files/News/2020/RCGP-to-home-sec-supply-of-controlled-drugs-april-2020">https://www.rcgp.org.uk/-/media/F...
https://www.rcgp.org.uk/-/media/Files/News/2020/RCGP-to-home-sec-supply-of-controlled-drugs-april-2020">https://www.rcgp.org.uk/-/media/F...
Regular readers will know that @FT reported on this situation - people unnecessarily suffering in their homes - on April 9. That was 14 days ago. And this had been occurring for weeks before. How many more days do people have to suffer "unnecessarily"?/4 https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1248146681784393728?s=20">https://twitter.com/pmdfoster...
What does that mean? Well it means that when #COVID19 patients go down hill, it can happen fast. You hyperventilate. You panic as you cannot breathe. That means you need morphine and a relaxant, like Midazolam. Recall these accounts from @hospiceuk in that story /5
Why does it take a letter from Royal College of GPs @rcgp to try and badger @patel4witham to move on this? Perhaps a lawyer can explain? I& #39;ve asked Home Office for a comment. No reply so far. Tick tock... /6
The NHS has just (literally 5 minutes ago) sent a response, which says that they will "publish new guidance which will ensure people in care homes continue to get the medicines they need when they need them.”
Doesn& #39;t say when. And I& #39;m told they& #39;ve been saying this for days. /7
Doesn& #39;t say when. And I& #39;m told they& #39;ve been saying this for days. /7
Which begs the question, how many more days?
Because every day that passes, is a day where someone is suffering "unnecessarily" per @MartinRCGP letter.
How many more days? Better hope it& #39;s not your loved waiting & #39;hours& #39; for drugs that are available. /8
Because every day that passes, is a day where someone is suffering "unnecessarily" per @MartinRCGP letter.
How many more days? Better hope it& #39;s not your loved waiting & #39;hours& #39; for drugs that are available. /8
And to be clear, this is not & #39;just& #39; the Royal College of GPs who are forcing this into the open. Trying to browbeat and embarrass the Home Office to act.
Both @hospiceuk and @mariecurieuk have added their considerable voices to getting government to move. /9
Both @hospiceuk and @mariecurieuk have added their considerable voices to getting government to move. /9
Small break now - must go clap for NHS. Back five... /10
Here& #39;s what @TraceyBleakley boss of @hospiceuk said.
“This has been an issue for a number of weeks now...."
A number of weeks. Wow. /11
“This has been an issue for a number of weeks now...."
A number of weeks. Wow. /11
