Letter: Rationing by age

Friday 12 November 1999 00:02 GMT

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Sir: On the matter of heart transplants for the elderly, two issues are being confused ("An epidemic of ageism in the NHS", 9 November). It would only be a matter of rationing by age, for financial reasons, if there were a sufficient supply of organs. As there is not, it is only sensible and just to ration them on the basis of the needs of the patients and their families.

I don't want my life prolonged beyond the time of my heart's natural life. I have an aunt in Canada who has just reached 96 years. She is now tired of living without any real purpose and is wondering whether she did right to have a pacemaker which could prevent an easy exit, by heart failure.

BETTY PERRY

Chelmsford, Essex

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Letter: Rationing by age

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