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Medics Caught on Tape Allegedly Decided Disabled Man Not Worth Saving
The Times ^ | 12/31/2008 | Staff

Posted on 12/31/2008 9:48:46 AM PST by Red in Blue PA

Two EMT workers in Britain were arrested after they were heard allegedly discussing whether they should bother to resuscitate a disabled man who had collapsed at home and subsequently died.

Barry Baker, 59, who lived alone, dialed 911 saying that he thought he was having a heart attack. An ambulance was sent to his house while a controller kept him talking on the line.

By the time the ambulance arrived at the house in Patcham, Brighton, Baker had collapsed, but the telephone line was still open and was being recorded.

It is alleged that staff in the control center heard the two medics making disparaging comments about the state of the house.

A police source, who asked not to be named, said that the medics were then heard discussing Baker and saying “words to the effect that he was not worth saving."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cultofdeath; socializedmedicine
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1 posted on 12/31/2008 9:48:46 AM PST by Red in Blue PA
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To: Red in Blue PA

Welcome to socialized medicine.


2 posted on 12/31/2008 9:50:37 AM PST by SW6906 (6 things you can't have too much of: sex, money, firewood, horsepower, guns and ammunition.)
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To: Red in Blue PA
We obviously need to pay them more so they'll care more.

</sarc>

3 posted on 12/31/2008 9:51:39 AM PST by randog (Hope is a bad business plan.)
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To: Red in Blue PA
...Two EMT workers in Britain were arrested after they were heard allegedly discussing whether they should bother to resuscitate a disabled man...

It was probably time for their union break.

4 posted on 12/31/2008 9:51:56 AM PST by FReepaholic (Diversity = .45 .357 .223 .38 ...)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Why should this be alarming? Almost 50 million people have been “not worth saving” in the US since 1973.


5 posted on 12/31/2008 9:52:33 AM PST by GOP_Party_Animal
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To: Red in Blue PA

Cue “Bring out yer Dead” sketch...


6 posted on 12/31/2008 9:52:35 AM PST by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: Red in Blue PA

To be clear, this is a stressful job, and that they might have joked “what a dump, this guy probably isn’t worth saving” they might in fact have been doing everything in their power to save him.


7 posted on 12/31/2008 9:54:19 AM PST by Ron Jeremy (sonic)
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To: Red in Blue PA

It is only my opinion, can’t prove it, but I do believe these two people represent the majority today. And not just among paramedics.
But maybe they always were.


8 posted on 12/31/2008 9:54:32 AM PST by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (Problem id'd, opinion keyed in...now, what will you DO about it?)
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To: Red in Blue PA
"relax, you're gonna love HillaryCare, the Obama version."





hey, what's this "duty to die" carp hidden in the fine print?!?
9 posted on 12/31/2008 9:55:02 AM PST by NonValueAdded (once you get to really know people, there are always better reasons than [race] for despising them.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Yikes! I’m gonna start cleaning my house today!


10 posted on 12/31/2008 9:56:42 AM PST by Krankor (SH.)
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To: SW6906
"Welcome to socialized medicine."

Bingo!

11 posted on 12/31/2008 9:57:01 AM PST by lormand (...somewhere in Illinois, a village has lost it's marxist community organizer.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

You heard about this one. There were hundreds of others.


12 posted on 12/31/2008 9:57:41 AM PST by Leftism is Mentally Deranged (liberalism = serious mental deficiency)
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To: BradyLS

“...I’m not dead yet...”


13 posted on 12/31/2008 9:57:51 AM PST by amom (Proud Blue Star Mom of a tanker somewhere near Sadr City)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Heartbreaking.


14 posted on 12/31/2008 9:58:37 AM PST by library user (Rod Blagojevich should have been TIME MAGAZINE'S "Person of the Year.")
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To: SW6906
Welcome to socialized medicine.

"Baker, who used sticks to help to him walk after undergoing hip replacement surgery..." would have been waiting a long, long time for a regular cane, much less a walker.

15 posted on 12/31/2008 9:58:38 AM PST by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (Problem id'd, opinion keyed in...now, what will you DO about it?)
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To: Red in Blue PA

The sooner they die, the less we have to pay for their pension.


16 posted on 12/31/2008 10:00:10 AM PST by reg45
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To: Ron Jeremy

I think they could find better ways to deal with the stress other than debating whether or not the victim should be saved.


17 posted on 12/31/2008 10:00:51 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Resist the Obamination!)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Universal health care in this country will come with all the efficiency of the Post Office coupled with all the humanity of the IRS.


18 posted on 12/31/2008 10:01:25 AM PST by tbpiper (Al Gore if the Berney Madoff Global Warming.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Shame on them!!


19 posted on 12/31/2008 10:01:32 AM PST by Majie Purple
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To: Ron Jeremy
To be clear, this is a stressful job,

That's why the good Lord gave us bartenders.

L

20 posted on 12/31/2008 10:03:01 AM PST by Lurker ("America is at that awkward stage. " Claire Wolfe, call your office.)
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To: BradyLS

21 posted on 12/31/2008 10:04:11 AM PST by freedomlover (Make sure you're in love - before you move in the heavy stuff)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Some animals are more equal than others.

Besides, it was probably around tea time anyway.


22 posted on 12/31/2008 10:07:17 AM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: tbpiper

And the utter ‘rules are rules’ stupidity of the DMV.


23 posted on 12/31/2008 10:08:08 AM PST by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: Red in Blue PA
Welcome to socialized medicine.

Welcome to the Culture of Death, without which socialized medicine would not be possibe.

I'd wait for some conformation before I got too enraged at this particular incident.

24 posted on 12/31/2008 10:08:24 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (revolution is in the air.)
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To: Ron Jeremy
"they might in fact have been doing everything in their power to save him"

Actually, while the article does not make every detail explicit, it does sound like they decided NOT to resuscitate and to LIE about the situation:

"They are said to have discussed what to tell ambulance control and decided to say that Baker was already dead when they got there."

25 posted on 12/31/2008 10:09:36 AM PST by Enchante (Bernie Madoff Learned His Ponzi-Investment Strategy from our Social Security System!!)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Slippery Slope Alert


26 posted on 12/31/2008 10:11:00 AM PST by Spok (Now is the time to cling to faith and freedom, while we still can.)
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To: freedomlover

“I’m feeling better!”


27 posted on 12/31/2008 10:11:20 AM PST by RobRoy (Islam is a greater threat to the world today than Nazism was in the 1930's.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Thank goodness the nazis didnt conquer England, huh?

Sometimes i wonder what we *really* accomplished by saving them. They are no longer free, free speech is dead, sharia law is moving in, religious freedom is dead there, they live under constant surveillance, they are pushing for prosecution of global warming denyers, their guns are confiscated, and Iranians in motor launches can defeat RN warships.

Englands only purpose now is to serve as an object lesson for us. When they come for your guns, and restrict speech, its time to fight.


28 posted on 12/31/2008 10:11:20 AM PST by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: SW6906

Not limited to socialized medicine. I was in the ER with my dad last night and the dr wanted to know about advanced directives. I told him that if dad coded he had to bring him back, or at least try.

The Dr’s response? “Really!?” in a surprised and disapproving tone.

I locked eyes with him and said “Really.”

End of conversation.

This guy was tacky enough to hold this discussion in front of my dad.

grrrrr.


29 posted on 12/31/2008 10:11:34 AM PST by null and void (Petroglyphs. The original cliffs notes...)
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To: Red in Blue PA
The source said that the two men were allegedly first heard commenting on the untidy state of the house and then saying that it was not worth bothering to resuscitate Baker.

Beyond belief.

30 posted on 12/31/2008 10:14:37 AM PST by ex91B10
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To: Red in Blue PA

Obama style health care. Coming to your country soon.


31 posted on 12/31/2008 10:16:48 AM PST by Texas Eagle (Who'll save the world from those who think only they can save it?. -- Ashleigh Brilliant)
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To: SW6906

That was my EXACT thought before I even came to the replies!


32 posted on 12/31/2008 10:19:17 AM PST by Quickgun
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To: reagan_fanatic
I think they could find better ways to deal with the stress other than debating whether or not the victim should be saved.

The harder and more stressful the job, the worse the humor. I remember cadences in the Army, "Napalm napalm sticks like glue, sticks to kids and their mommies too." There are variations of the same.

It's a "Walk a mile in his shoes" thing.

33 posted on 12/31/2008 10:21:06 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: Red in Blue PA

ping


34 posted on 12/31/2008 10:21:07 AM PST by unkus
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To: Red in Blue PA

just think, someday these medics will be 59...


35 posted on 12/31/2008 10:26:13 AM PST by isom35
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To: DesertRhino
Thank goodness the nazis didnt conquer England, huh?

Sometimes i wonder what we *really* accomplished by saving them. They are no longer free, free speech is dead, sharia law is moving in, religious freedom is dead there, they live under constant surveillance, they are pushing for prosecution of global warming denyers, their guns are confiscated, and Iranians in motor launches can defeat RN warships.

Englands only purpose now is to serve as an object lesson for us. When they come for your guns, and restrict speech, its time to fight.

And citizens get prosecuted for defending themselves (as best they can, unarmed) while criminals go unprosecuted.

And then, of course, there's the whole "health" system.

36 posted on 12/31/2008 10:31:23 AM PST by samtheman
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Oh, and this doesn’t happen in the US?

Come on.....

Talk to some cops and EMTs. While it might not be this bad, sometimes it is really bad.


37 posted on 12/31/2008 10:34:29 AM PST by Vermont Lt (I am not from Vermont. I lived there for four years and that was enough.)
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To: randog
I used to Volunteer for a EMS. It was good work and very educational as well as rewarding. And yes, we got paid nothing for the work.
Volunteerism is dying since families have to work two jobs to make ends meet and pay Taxes. If you live in a boro that has a Volunteer EMS or Fire Dept, Remember that they are giving up their free time to help others.
PS...Most of the Volunteer EMTS and Paramedics I worked with were Conservative, same with members of the Fire Depts we worked with. Funny how the left has time to save the whales but refrain from helping their fellow man in time of need.
38 posted on 12/31/2008 10:37:10 AM PST by Yorlik803 ( Freedom- 07-04-1776-11-06-2008. RIP)
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To: null and void

If you only realized the futility of resuscitation efforts. The percentages of recovery are really bad, and those that we CAN save, usually end up brain-damaged and die a short time later anyway.

Full life-support measures are only effective long-term on young, healthy people that have an accident that caused their code.


39 posted on 12/31/2008 10:41:19 AM PST by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: null and void
I share your revulsion as to how this was handled, but the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) actually requires hospitals to question patients and/or their families as to whether or not a living will or advanced directive has been completed and,if so, are the papers on file with the facility. Should have been handled by nursing with the family in a private setting away from the patient.
40 posted on 12/31/2008 10:43:35 AM PST by buckalfa (confused and bewildered)
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To: null and void
The slippery slope is coated with ice here already. People like you and others who have disabled loved ones are keen to what is happening and very concerned about the future.

We were in Florida several weeks back. Went to the Kennedy Space Center where it appeared we were the only Americans. The Europeans seemed to be in the majority. Now we are very use to gawkers of all sorts. We choose not to stay home with our profoundly disabled son. Well these folks were different than any other we have ever encountered. Their gawks were also accompanied by looks of disdain. Almost as if we were responsible for ruining their day out. When they had to wait for our son to be boarded on the handicap bus their looks grew to anger and agitation. It was a quick look into their souls and a look into America's future. Currently when out with our son the gawking appears to be curiosity driven with many smiles mixed in. On that long day at KSC there was 1 smile.

Pray for America like you never did before. Do everything in your power to stop this avalanche before it starts. Also, smile at a less fortunate individual as you look at them. If they are alone, praise them for their strength and courage to do life in spite of their many challenges. It will encourage them and also continue to set America apart from the rest of the world.

41 posted on 12/31/2008 10:43:35 AM PST by 4Godsoloved..Hegave
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To: Vermont Lt
While most emergency medical professionals and volunteers are in the field for the right reasons, there are some that do play God. Equally appalling is death and disability caused by inadequate training and supervision, even in hospital settings. Cost versus benefit you know.
42 posted on 12/31/2008 10:51:30 AM PST by buckalfa (confused and bewildered)
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To: clee1

*shrug* YMMV


43 posted on 12/31/2008 10:55:47 AM PST by null and void (Petroglyphs. The original cliffs notes...)
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To: 4Godsoloved..Hegave

The first mass killing, around 1934 or so, were of the healthy, but sever handicap, and even mildly retarded in Nazi Germany. That was an easy group with absolute few advocates, and somewhat well supported ideologically by the German opinion class.

Efficiency, scientific society, healthy breeding and all that...


44 posted on 12/31/2008 10:58:34 AM PST by Leisler
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To: buckalfa
Yes. I certainly have no problem with the hospital's need to know the wishes of the patient and family.

My only problems are the obvious editorial bias of the Dr. and the fact that the discussion was held in front of my dad, without including him in the conversation.

He's still a human being. For now.

45 posted on 12/31/2008 10:59:34 AM PST by null and void (Petroglyphs. The original cliffs notes...)
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To: 4Godsoloved..Hegave

Thanks.


46 posted on 12/31/2008 11:02:03 AM PST by null and void (Petroglyphs. The original cliffs notes...)
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To: clee1
Full life-support measures are only effective long-term on young, healthy people that have an accident that caused their code.

There are always exceptions to every rule. My mother, at 71 coded in the hospital, was rushed to ICU and put on life support. After 9 days the doc called the family in and said they had done all they could do and was going to remove life support. Wanted us all there so if there was anything we wanted to say or ask, time would be limited......2 hours to 2 days probably.

Within half an hour of taking her off, she was sitting up in a chair, feeding herself. A few days later she went home and lived 2 more years. She died from an unrelated condition. She also showed NO effects from the experience, she was as she had always been.

47 posted on 12/31/2008 11:12:48 AM PST by YellowRoseofTx (Evil is not the opposite of God; it's the absence of God)
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To: Red in Blue PA

Fire them.

Welcome to ObamaCare.


48 posted on 12/31/2008 11:14:34 AM PST by Recovering_Democrat
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To: Yorlik803

Volunteerism is all about dropping a turkey into the food bin around the holidays....as long as “the news team you know and can trust!” is there to capture the blessed event on video.


49 posted on 12/31/2008 1:50:24 PM PST by randog (Hope is a bad business plan.)
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To: Red in Blue PA

This one for some reason just gave me chills.

To think that those that have chosen, not forced mind you but chosen to be rescue workers, to save lives can suddenly decide your not worth saving and to let you die is just chilling.

JB


50 posted on 12/31/2008 1:54:19 PM PST by thatjoeguy (Just my thoughts)
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