Medics Caught on Tape Allegedly Decided Disabled Man Not Worth Saving

The Times ^ | 12/31/2008 | Staff

[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."

[SW6906]

Welcome to socialized medicine.

[randog]

We obviously need to pay them more so they'll care more.

</sarc>

[FReepaholic]

...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.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

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

[BradyLS]

Cue “Bring out yer Dead” sketch...

[Ron Jeremy]

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.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

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.

[NonValueAdded]

"relax, you're gonna love HillaryCare, the Obama version."





_{hey, what's this "duty to die" carp hidden in the fine print?!?}

[Krankor]

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

[lormand]

"Welcome to socialized medicine."

Bingo!

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

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

[amom]

“...I’m not dead yet...”

[library user]

Heartbreaking.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

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.

[reg45]

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

[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.

[tbpiper]

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

[Majie Purple]

Shame on them!!

[Lurker]

To be clear, this is a stressful job,

That's why the good Lord gave us bartenders.

L