Better red then dead
Sir: Wittingly or not, Theodore Dalrymple (If symptoms persist . . ., 23 June) in his piece on the innocent intials NTBR (Not To Be Resuscitated) puts up a lethally persuasive reason for the too long awaited infusion of some consumer choice into the NHS.
Some years ago, after being resuscitated a few times, I contracted a couple of virulent hospital-borne infections which were so bad that the intensive care unit had to be evacuated of other patients. After a week or so of this disruption to their comfy routine, certain members of the hospital board were much irritated. But one (gratefully remembered) stuck out firmly
'Let's go down the arcade and get tattooed.' against the sort of easy answer that could have presented itself and promised my wife that he would resuscitate again if neces- sary.
I am still around to point out how glad I would be to pay a going rate for resuscita- tion; even a bonus for success. So, I don't doubt, would many others have been — given the option which they weren't.
Incidentally, in the hospital concerned (which was not in the gentle county where I now live) the practice was not to be so frank as to label notes NTBR. Those who were to be saved were simply given a sticky red dot. But I suppose, knowing the NHS, that could drop off.
C.F. Dark
Trefusis Road, Flushing, Falmouth, Cornwall
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