Madam, - I found Kevin Myers's comments on the case of Barbara Salisbury shocking (An Irishman's Diary, June 22nd). I struggled to comprehend his ageist and narrow views on what constitutes a worthwhile life.
As a nurse and educator in palliative care - caring for those for whom Mr Myers deems life to be over - I challenge him to seek out the opinions of these people. He will certainly be enlightened as to how fulfilling and meaningful life can be at this stage of a person's illness. Indeed, those with a terminal illness frequently seem to discover true meaning in life, something few of us can claim.
Care for those with a terminal illness seeks neither to prolong life nor to hasten death, but to assist these people to live life until they die, and to ensure they die a peaceful and dignified death.
Barbara Salisbury was not providing nursing or palliative care to her patients. Providing comfort by meticulous assessment and treatment of symptoms is the foundation of care. Laying someone flat on their back "so their lungs would fill up" and inappropriately administering medications are extremely serious breaches of professional conduct and ethics.
Medical science has rightly been accused of "prolonging the inevitable", but Ms Salisbury's actions actually shortened life and resulted in death. That was her only goal. - Yours, etc.,
HILARY SMYTH, Dartry, Dublin 6.