British Socialized HC Official: Some Premature Babies Should be Left to Die
- Posted on March 7, 2011 at 12:53pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Note from The Blaze Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker: I’m updating this post with a clarification/apology from the Daily Mail. Here is their statement:
Statements contained in an article published on 7 March, headed “Babies who are born at 23 weeks should be left to die, says NHS chief”, were wrongly attributed to Dr Daphne Austin, who is a medical consultant specialist employed by the NHS.
They were made in a programme in which Dr Austin participated and were published by us in good faith. In particular, Dr Austin did not state that babies should be “left to die” and did not express the opinion that the financial aspects of neonatal care were the issue. We apologise to Dr Austin for the errors.
Editor’s note continued: Our original post, which I’m leaving intact below, did not use the phrase “left to die” as a quote. It was used in the headline as a good-faith summary phrase of Dr. Austin’s position. Evaluating the complete context of her statements is somewhat difficult at this point. The longer BBC excerpt of the program is geographically limited to prevent viewing in the United States. You can see that here. There is a shorter excerpt that is available here. That BBC link is still current and uses this headline: “Very premature babies ‘should not be revived.’
Premature babies born at 23 weeks should not be resuscitated because their chances of surviving are so slim, according to an NHS official.
Dr Daphne Austin told BBC Radio 5 live: “There is sufficient evidence to suggest that we’re [currently] doing more harm than good.
“Are we confident that we are providing the care that they need right through?” Dr Austin asked presenter Victoria Derbyshire, “we need to have a better debate about this.”
Editor’s note continued: Here is the rest of our original post.
A prominent British health care official associated with the country’s socialized medicine agency NHS is set to make a disturbing admission in an upcoming documentary: she thinks premature babies born at 23 weeks gestation should be left to die. Why? Cost concerns.
“If it was my child, from all the evidence and information that I know, I would not resuscitate,” Dr. Daphne Austin says in the BBC program 23 Week Babies: The Price of Life, reports London’s Daily Mail.
She continues: “We are doing more harm than good by resuscitating 23-weekers. I can’t think of very many interventions that have such poor outcomes. For me the big issue is that we’re spending an awful lot of money on treatments that have very marginal benefit. I would prefer to free up that money to spend on providing support to people who have much more lifelong chronic conditions.” [Emphasis added]
In even more stunning comments, Austin says that while parents should get a say, in reality they don’t speak for the baby: “There’s a lot of emphasis on the parents’ views and what they want. But somewhere in there, there needs to be an advocate for the baby.” The assumption seems to be the baby would rather die.
The Mail says NHS spends about 10 million BPS, or over $16 million US, on treating babies born around 23 weeks, many of which either die or end up with birth defects.*
“Guidelines state that doctors should not try to resuscitate babies born under 22 weeks,” the paper says, “as they are too underdeveloped, but those born between 22 and 25 weeks should routinely be given intensive care.”
According to Austin, the decision not to resuscitate should be made “in the same way as we’ve made hard decisions about things like cancer drugs, saying the outcomes just aren’t good enough and therefore we won’t use them.”
Austin isn’t the first British woman to promote killing children as the compassionate choice. As we reported in October, UK advice columnist Virginia Ironside said she would even go as far as to smother a suffering child:
At this point it’s appropriate to point out that current U.S. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Donald Berwick has admitted he “loves” NHS. But it’s also appropriate to point out reports have now surfaced that Berwick — who only has his job after the president gave it to him via a recess appointment — may not be keeping his position for much longer.
According to a report from Politico, Senate Democrats have given up on securing an official nomination:
Senate Democrats have given up on confirming Don Berwick as CMS administrator in the wake of a letter from 42 Republican senators opposing the nomination, sources tell POLITICO. [...]
At a meeting with health care lobbyists Friday, Democratic Senate Finance Committee staffers indicated that the nomination is dead, that there will be no confirmation hearing, and that they’ll soon be discussing “next steps” for CMS, sources said. [...]
If he is not confirmed by the Senate, Berwick will have to leave by the end of 2011.
“The question will be whether Obama accepts defeat this time and picks someone less controversial to run Medicare and Medicaid, or whether he sticks a thumb in the Senate’s eye and gives Berwick another recess appointment,” Ed Morrissey writes at Hot Air.
He concludes: “Given the infighting between the White House and Senate Democrats on the budget, Obama will probably decide that discretion is the better part of valor in this case and look for Plan B.”
The documentary featuring Austin airs on Britain’s BBC2 on Wednesday night.
*Author’s note: My younger brother was born after about 24 weeks gestation. He is healthy and has no birth defects or residual issues. He survived using the technology available 16 years ago. It is possible to survive being born at such a premature stage and grow up to be completely healthy.
(H/T: Weasel Zippers)
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Comments (186)
Sugabee
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:03pmGee, where’s our “friend”, Jesus H. Christ, on this story??? Nothing from our Living Happily in the U.K. atheist?
Report Post »Rob_M
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:54pmGood system to idolize huh?
Report Post »april 12 1861
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:52pmMay God have mercy on their collective, deathwish souls.
Report Post »en2deep
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:47pmThose who have no problem killing your baby, would have no problem killing you. These types should never be trusted with power
Report Post »Seabird
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:47pmThis will be the decisions Obamacare will force on us! The recent Canadian “baby Joseph” shows how they will take cost over life! This control should not be given to the fabian socialist’s working on reforming our Country!
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:39pmAt least radical Muslims wait until the kid develops and they can strap a bomb on him. A murder is a terrible opportunity to waste.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:39pmThis just makes me sick….This is exactly what we are going to get when Oblahh blahh tries to force single payer health care down our throats. It is always the innocent who pay the ultimate price.
Report Post »Hugie 59 PA
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:38pmThis is the slippery slop we pro lifers have talked about in 1973 Supreme Court decision on abortion. We’ve seen the ugly face of partial birth abortion. We’ve seen that children with handicaps allowed to die for lack of a minor operation. We’ve seen the so called “death panels” which will eventually refuse life/death medical attention for anyone beyond a specific age. Societies are judged by the way they treat the unborn, the handicapped and their elderly. Utilitarianism is alive and well in America. It was brought on by the Left progressive (a misnomer) liberal Democrats.
Report Post »912828Buckeye
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:36pmEd Morrissey likes it and Obama likes Morrissey.
Report Post »That should say it all but you wont see any of this
in the Lame stream media.
firstlast
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:57pmlol
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:36pmMy brother was born at 25 weeks without all this modern technology. He survived with absolutely no defects unless you consider being genius a defect. Did I mention that he is the greatest brother on this earth?? Well, he is. :D
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 3:23pmSis? Is that you?
Report Post »janedough1
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:34pmGlad she wasn’t in charge here when my neighbors son was born at 22 weeks. He’s got CP with weakness in three limbs, but he shows signs of having a brain like Steven Hawkins.
Report Post »SND97
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:32pmCome and take us and all the Babies home Lord.
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:32pmShe makes me sick….O makes me sick….I guess I’ll just puke…..I hope Obamacare is declared unconstitutional once and for all!!!!
Report Post »firstlast
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:02pmLynn, calm down. This is an article about a person’s opinion, who works for British health care system. If you bother to read any British news outlets about this you will see that there is hope for humanity and the majority of people in the world abhor this sort of thing. There is no grand conspiracy to kill babies unless you count that UN helicopter in Afghanistan that shot and killed those 9 little boys out gathering wood last week
Report Post »USACommoner
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 3:38pm@ FIRSTLAST: “There is no grand conspiracy to kill babies…”
___________________________________________________________
Yes, there is. It‘s called Planned Parenthood and it’s funded by our government. Read about its founder Margaret Sanger, then tell me if you feel the same way…
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 5:10pmWhy? You like being denied or dropped or hit with a huge increase when you actually get sick and make a claim? Are you so rich it doesn’t matter to you? Why in your mind does simple fair and equal treatment turn into communism or socialism or whateverism?
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:29pmto bad they can’t but him back in the womb,and see if he would be premature and then we would see if he would change his communist view. people like this should be called out and should be put in a mental hospital .o yeah,we could not build enough to house these idiots.he should be throw out of office,just think our president and his moron buddies like this style of government,and the people in the Europe wonder why they are treated like they are,{ just do as i say,and you will be okay,but stand up and you will lose your house and free money.} what a bunch of left wing communist scum sucking morons.
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:34pmto bad they can’t put her back in
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:39pmdang it, what a goof ball i am ,i am sorry’ i think my key board is broke,my S is not working on the old key board,hope fully it is now[ or something else is wrong.]
Report Post »quarter horseman
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:19pmThat wont happen in the U.S. Obamacare cares about those burdensum children.
Report Post »hownowbrownmao
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:19pmBut guvna, we are your allies…………liabilities is more like it.
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:12pmIf Socialized ‘Anything’ works so well, then why does it always include stringent cost controls to the point that even LIFE & LIBERTY are expendable elements, it its system.
This is only supporting evidence that Socialism is a failed system.
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:11pmIn even more stunning comments, Austin says that while parents should get a say, in reality they don’t speak for the baby: “There’s a lot of emphasis on the parents’ views and what they want. But somewhere in there, there needs to be an advocate for the baby.”
Sounds like CANADA! Whatever happened to that baby a few weeks ago?
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:10pmSomeone should have had the brains to abort her! This woman is disgusting.
Report Post »If one, JUST ONE baby survived, it would be worth every cent!
missy8s
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:09pmOh this could never happen here, right?
Think again!
This is precisely what Chairman O wants in America, total government with the power of life and death!
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on March 9, 2011 at 6:55amAbortion of babies, medical experiments on live human beings, internment camps, euthanasia of the mentally retarded, phyically handicapped and elderly. Nazi Germany ? No it’s happening in various countires and will happen in others that have socialized medicine like the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Murder of premature babies shouldn’t be a shocking revelation to anyone who lives in a country where unborn babies are “legally” slaughtered indiscriminately every day by the thousands simply because they aren’t wanted. How can we who claim to be citizens of a country founded on Christian principle condone such practices ?
People are naive or just plain ignorant if they think Obamacare isn’t headed in the direction of terminating lives that are burdensome and of no economical value. Government power to end the life of any human being is unthinkable in America. However, that‘s what Obamacare will eventually lead to if it’s allowed to continue. All Americans are accomplices to this mass murder because it’s being funded by our tax dollars. Since the ending of WWII in 1945 it’s been American policy to prevent and condemn genocide. But now we sanction it tin America through the approval of our elected duly representatives in government.
Report Post »cece959
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:08pmThe scary thing is, the left is fine with this.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:34pmThe left is fine with anything that is morally, and or, intellectually repugnant.
Nuff said.
Report Post »maumau
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:12pmits dr. abortkian
Report Post »i guess before 23 weeks and after ? whats going to be the age they say is no longer feasible to help the ederly?
TumbleBumble
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:06pmAustin says that while parents should get a say, in reality they don’t speak for the baby: “There’s a lot of emphasis on the parents’ views and what they want. But somewhere in there, there needs to be an advocate for the baby.”
The parents are the advocate for the baby – God is the ultimate decision maker. Every life is worth fighting for.
Report Post »mrclean
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:04pmGone are the days when parents made these decisions.
We are following in this monster-woman’s footsteps. Excuse me as I puke on obama.
Report Post »exdem
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:17pmGone are the days of our freedom if we don’t stop Obamacare!!
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 7:16pmdufus commies….worse than that…pure evil
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:02pmDon’t forget who has absolutely PRAISED their HC system , yep that’s right Donald Berwick .
Report Post »tvr54
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:26pmPlease Mr. President show him the doorway out.
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on March 9, 2011 at 7:17amVirginia Ironside was very clear in a television interview saying she wouldn’t hesitate smothering a sick child with a pillow if was suffering. Then she said, “ Any good mother would do the same ” I know that IIronside is British but she represents the kind of people who are behind Obamacare in the USA. It was recently revealed that in the Obamacare document $105 billion was designated to pay for it’s cost without any congressional or senate discusion or vote. What else is going to be found in the document that wasn‘t read before it’s signing ?
Report Post »Smothering a child or anyone with a pillow has until now been considered an act of murder punishable by imprisonment or death in most societies. Now, it seems to be acceptable to many governments that are struggling to cope with medical needs and expenses. Are Americans going to include themselves in this insanity ? We are if we allow Obamacare to go into effect unaware of what the Obama Healthcare Law is hiding within it’s almost 3000 pages.
CatB
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:00pmSounds like Obamacare. Obama voted against care for babies born alive after a “failed” abortion.
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:23pmMy oldest daughter was born premature at 23 weeks. That was 30 years ago. She is a healthy, and spunky, 30 year old that is as smart as they come. Working to be a Pharmacist, and works hard to improving the world around her and helping the unfortunate, and I might add, one whom I am very proud of and love her dearly. I would say that “The Price of Life” was definitely worth it. The world would have surely lost out without her it. My question is: When did Health Care people abandon the Hippocratic oath
Report Post »Moocephus
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:41pmComing soon to an America near you!
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:47pmCan we all say “Death Panel?”
TexasCommonSense
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:52pmIf they didn‘t want to spend the money they shouldn’t have socialized their medical care. Stupid is as stupid does. Now deal with it.
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 1:55pmI dilivered a Premture baby. The Mother was five and half months along! The baby delivered 1# 11 1/2 ounces, 11″ 3/4″ long ! A year later the baby weighed in at 22Lbs and 29 1/2″ inches long! A year later, I received a picture and letter thanking me and my partner for a Great Save! I remember the doctor in the hospital; telling the mom if the Baby delivers in the back of the Rig the baby would not survive! The Transfer normally takes about two hours, however it took us alot less! We were still about 15 minutes out and the baby delivered! So, if you ask me was it worth it? Yes, and I’m sure his family and friends would agree! To me its just Socialized Medicine! Obama=Death Care, and the only way to cut costs is to start culling the Sick, the Old, and anyone thats not healthy! Welcome to Obama Care! Do we really want the Govt. deciding who lives and who dies? Last, Fox News just reported the Numbers the Gov. gave the CBO was all false! To pass health care, the numbers were changed counting 500Billion twice, to make it look like they were going to save money!….. Great Job, Liar in Chief!
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:01pmI cannot fathom the kind of cold, hard, callous evil that sees human beings as nothing more than a cost-accounting figure on a balance sheet and who holds ultimate power to essentially create the situation where the cost accounting figure takes precedence over a human life.
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:03pmSounds to me like Britain has a Doctor of Death as well. This one is worse though, she‘s the doctor of infants’ death. Like the Bible says: It would be better for her if a millstone were tied around her neck and she was cast into the deepest part of the sea. (paraphrased) Because believe me, she will be wishing for that than what she is going to go through.
Report Post »waggie
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:09pmOMG, what is this world coming to? What better advocate for the baby than his/her parents? God help us when we stand before Him and answer for this…
Report Post »MichiganPatriot
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:18pmSounds like him, read the book “the Roots of Obama’s Rage” it is an eye opener. Dinesh D’Souza is the author. I beleive he is from India which is a country much like the one young Obama grew up in. I would never had guessed some of the facts about the man we call President. Very very good book!
Showtime
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:27pmWonder how much they care about their seniors?
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 2:42pmIt would be interesting to know, what these types are saying to themselves to make themselves believe that they get to be God, Who Is The Author And Finisher Of Life.
They seem to be forgetting that they, like all of us, will have an unavoidable appointment with The Author And Finisher Of Life. On that day, will they be so arrogant? How do they plan on explaining themselves to Almighty God? Somehow, I‘m think’n that conversation won’t go so well, for them.
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 3:34pmAnd she still has a JOB?
Report Post »rodamaa
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 4:00pmWho are the real baby killers? The socialist and the Left. We need to wake up everyone to the truth
Report Post »GODBLESSOURCOUNTRY
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 4:23pmHey – I thought Death Panels were a myth – I wonder what they call this? Crazy right wingers -
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 4:36pmI’m sure Gov. Brewer would agree with this point of view.
Report Post »Y.b-M.I
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 4:48pmDear out of heather
Report Post »My beautiful daughter Heather was also premature, she isn’t well; but she is a super intelligent young woman. She’s studying to become a nurse; so she can “help all the other people in the world that need help” Our last child had a blood test and they convince us to abort him because he had a “modest” indicator for down syndrome. He is now nine and at the top of his peers at school academically; and he is strong as kids ten or eleven years old. I was premature and have served my nation in the armed forces; built three successive careers and late in life am reeducating myself for anther. Who are these people that they can say that they are more valuable than the rest of us? Eugenics, infanticide, euthanasia, are all part of the humanist dialectic ideology which drives social fascism. In our estimation the individual is of immeasurable value to the whole. Natural law demands that we try to carefully nurture all life that we can. Letting go of cases we can’t help the supposed to be the great shame and sorrow of our lives. I am glad to hear of other fathers that will take a moment and tell the great stories (both happy and sad) that point out why we men have the ultimate responsibility and right to stop people like the one in this article. By the way; the Netherlands already will “euthanize” children as old as ten years old when they are gravely retarded. That is the progressive Bismarckian view. That is what “socialized medicine is all about. That is what evil people like Oliver W. Holmes believe.
abc
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 6:00pmWhy is this controversial? We set dollar limits on safety features in cars all the time. We set limits on bridge safety, boat safety, aircraft safety, etc. all the time. Why shouldn’t we set limits on how much to spend on premies as well, since they are very expensive to save?
And this is not unique to the UK system or Obamacare. We have limits in this country too. We already ration care in this country as well. It’s called ability to pay. If you are poor, then you are screwed. Those blaming Obamacare or socialized medicine for this really do not understand that it plays out here as well…
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on March 7, 2011 at 8:13pmMs. Ironside is known to be a member of the Fabian Soceity. Look it up folks. These people espouse the theory of selective culling to remove the people with birth and mental deficiencies from soceity. Permanantly! By government sanctioned murder. George Bernard Shaw was a Fabian. He felt that every person should, every five years, have to appear before a panel of their peers and justify their existance. These are the people that our Health Care czar, Donald Berwick, wants us to pattern our health care program after. Are you ready for the gas chamber?
ORSO
Posted on March 8, 2011 at 12:36pmWell…….you have to understand how proud the British are of there coveted NHS , all the polls taken if satisfied with it are overwhelmingly in support of this system even with obvious flaws and sub standard care. They go blindly into the night thinking all this care is free and can no longer connect there tax contributions pay for this uncaring system.
So give them “ CAKE” they won’t notice that we are killing a few babies……..
vlaw513
Posted on March 9, 2011 at 1:36pmNetherlands Euthanize Children
Report Post »http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/616jszlg.asp