Published: 2 February, 2012

• Poet and secretary to Florence Nightingale, Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861) wrote the well-rehearsed couplet, “Thou shalt not kill but needst not strive, officiously, to keep alive.”

The key word is “officiously”.

It is in that spirit that my wife and I have signed, witnessed and notarised healthcare directives (also known as “living wills”) that specify what treatments should be given or withheld, under what circumstances, along with assigned power of attorney.

Models of these may be found on the web.
 
The quest for death with dignity begins well before the end.

Norbert Hirschhorn MD
Greencroft Gardens, NW6