Medics Caught on Tape Allegedly Decided Disabled Man Not Worth Saving

Fox News ^ | 12/31/08 | The Times

[bolobaby]

I’m not trying to take away from the story, but when a news story reports “disabled” they usually don’t mean “in need of medical help for an immediate condition.” They usually mean “permanently disabled.”

You see, truth be told, there are certain things that add to the horror of it all. If this person was in some way truly helpless and dependent on human compassion - like a child, mentally handicapped, or physically disabled - then it makes their act even more disgusting. It’s like when someone beats up an old lady or pushes someone out of their wheelchair. There’s a greater level of disdain for human life on the part of the attacker.

I’m not talking about “hate crime” kind of stuff. A crime is still a crime, but it takes an especially BAD person to victimize those that are partially or completely helpless.

[JSteff]

If you read the Times of London it said “Barry Baker, 59, who lived alone, had dialed 999 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.”

Then about his hip surgery. Do either of those matter to the reason an ambulance should have been called? I don't get your gist.

[NoGrayZone]

I have made it perfectly clear to ALL people in my life, but just in case.....

NO GRAY ZONE WANTS TO LIVE. Don’t let ANYONE pull my plug!!!!

[JSteff]

“but it takes an especially BAD person to victimize those that are partially or completely helpless.”

Okay, just a person doing to another person.... but these were trained and paid medics!!!!!! It is their JOB to take care of anyone who calls for service.

What can be less horrifying than that?

[Soul of the South]

I find it more interesting the names of the two men arrested were not released. None of the UK papers provide the identity of the ambulance men.

[NoGrayZone]

"If this person was in some way truly helpless and dependent on human compassion"

Have you ever taken care of an older person who broke their hip? Have you known anybody who had to? It's usually downhill from there.

Aren't we ALL dependent on human compassion?

[BykrBayb]

The Daily Mail gives more detail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1103209/Pictured-The-disabled-man-left-die-paramedics-wasnt-worth-saving.html

-snip-

The two ambulancemen who reached Barry Baker and found him unconscious are said to have been caught on tape discussing not bothering to revive him.

-snip-

Minutes later astonished dispatch centre staff heard their crew enter the house, apparently making disparaging comments about the state of the home.

A police source, who asked not to be named, said the ambulancemen were then heard over the phone discussing Mr Baker and allegedly saying ‘words to the effect that he was not worth saving’.

-snip-

Mr Baker, who used sticks to walk after having hip replacement operations, made a 999 call in the early hours of November 29. He told the controller he had severe chest pains and the ambulance crew from Brighton was immediately sent to his home.

-snip-

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There’s more at the link, including photos.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen this despicable attitude expressed time and time again by people who claim they “wouldn’t want to live like that.” Their answer is never to help improve the quality of the person’s life, but to end it by the most efficient means available.

[jwparkerjr]

Wow, so did I! I sure hope no one is standing just around the corner or in the next room discussing if I’m worthy to save should I go into cardiac arrest!

[Arthur McGowan]

I heard in one newspaper that they made critical remarks about his untidy home. And that he walked with “sticks.”

These two eugenicists decided he was a slob and was living a Life Not Worth Living.

I wonder if their names are Obama and Daschle.

[BykrBayb]

What difference is there, really? If he’s recovering from surgery, he’s worth saving, but if he’s going to remain disabled, he’s unworthy?

[Vigilanteman]

I’m wondering how often it happens behind closed doors. I’ll bet these medics are actually trained to make these decisions. Rationing is an inevitable result of “free” government anything.

[BykrBayb]

Oh, I should have read all the posts before replying to your earlier post. This one answers my question.

[Gondring]

This was occurring FAR earlier than Darwin, but the whole move away from respecting individuals’ rights means that it’s happening more often and without qualms.

The #1 focus must be on an individual’s own preferences, not what someone else wants for him.

[devane617]

I’ve had a disability all (for 48 years anyway) my life. What is the difference? Should I not receive equal medical care as you because I have a disability?

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Decisions as to who lives and who dies are made every day in countries with nationalized health care.

[Gondring]

Once one group of people is determined to not have the right to life, it's not a real big step to deny that right to others who can be described as "useless eaters".

I'd expand that. Once we put the destiny of an individual into the hands of others, he becomes nothing more than a pawn and a statistic. This culture MUST return to respecting individual's rights, including his preferences in health care.

[GOPJ]

Maybe a bunch of us should get together and “make the call” on ethically challenged EMTs. Do we need EMTs that disabled? I think not. Heart attack? For the ethically challenged, let's “let ‘em go”.

[Gondring]

I do hope your wishes are respected. A Culture of DisrespectTM is building, where peoples' wishes are secondary to what others want for them. :-(

[oh8eleven]

My son's brother-in-law is a doctor and has been in Victoria, BC for about six months now doing a Fellowship (IIRC).
He said their HC system is as bad or worse than he ever heard or even imagined.
With regard to just living there day-to-day he said, "Being Canadian means standing in line."

[NoGrayZone]

I’m sure it would be a “different story” when it comes to THEIR lives!