BBC Radio 4 LW

Inside the Ethics Committee

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Religion & Ethics

Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts wrestle with the ethics of a real-life medical case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to wrestle with the ethics arising from a real-life medical case.

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 10

Inside the Ethics Committee: Series 10: Episode 3: Treating Patients with Dementia

Episode 3

Episode 3: Treating Patients with Dementia

Series 10

Treating Patients with Dementia

BBC Radio 4 - Inside the Ethics Committee, Series 10, Treating Patients with Dementia

When should doctors treat the ailments of people with dementia and when should they not?

As people with dementia become more frail and less able to make decisions, when should treatments be given to prolong life and when should they be withheld?

Modern medicine has succeeded in treating many of the diseases that kill us and, as a result, people are living longer.

However, as we get older and become more frail decisions have to be made about when to treat the ailments that crop up.

This becomes particularly challenging when a person can't make the decision for themselves, like those with advanced dementia.

Jean is in her eighties and is getting increasingly frail. Each ailment brings another admission to hospital. When should a treatment be given that will prolong her life, and when should it be withheld so that nature can take its course?

Joan Bakewell and her panel discuss the issues.

Producer: Beth Eastwood.

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Joan Bakewell and a panel of experts tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

Joan Bakewell is joined by a panel of experts to tackle the ethics involved in a real hospital case.

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Inside the Ethics Committee

Series 10

Episode 3: Treating Patients with Dementia

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