
Audio By Carbonatix
81-year-old Joy Tomkins has warned doctors not to revive her if she's dying, by having "Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed on her chest.The grandmother of six is so adamant that doctors should not save her life in an emergency.She has made doubly sure they get the message by getting "PTO" inked on her back, with an arrow pointing to her front in case she collapses face down and paramedics miss the big, blue capital letters.Joy, a right-to-die supporter, decided she did not want to be brought back to life in a medical emergency after watching husband Malcolm's slow death.Her views recall those of Swiss assisted dying group Dignitas, which helps the terminally ill.Joy, of Downham Market, Norfolk, got her tattoos done for just £5.She said: "When my time comes I do not want to end up half-dead, I want to be fully dead."I'm enjoying life now. But if things change in future I don't want to lie for hours, months or even years before dying."I don't want my family to remember me as a lump. I want them to remember me as I was."Mum-of-two Joy, a former editorial secretary at Punch magazine, also has a living will stating her resuscitation wish, but got the tattoo as a failsafe.
But a General Medical Council spokesman said most doctors would ignore it. He said: "Doctors take account of patients' wishes, but a tattoo is not legally binding."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
IMANI wants NIC to probe possible conflicts of interest in reinsurance arrangements
4 minutes -
First Atlantic Bank strengthens balance sheet as net interest income surges 67%
8 minutes -
Choplife Gaming donates to Korle Bu Radiotherapy unit for Women’s Week 2026
10 minutes -
Would President Mahama have reduced cocoa prices if this were an election year ? – Annoh Dompreh asks
12 minutes -
Climate change, pollution and overfishing push White Volta fishermen to the brink
13 minutes -
IMANI demands review of SIGA directive steering SOEs toward SIC placements
19 minutes -
Climate change and pollution threaten livelihoods of White Volta fishermen
26 minutes -
First Atlantic Bank targets regional growth and digital expansion in 2026 outlook
29 minutes -
Bond market: Turnover surges 559.42% to GH¢2.49bn
33 minutes -
Dagomba line residents begin rebuilding after Easter Monday inferno
34 minutes -
ECG substation upgrade exercise: parts of Accra to experience power outages
37 minutes -
IMANI petitions Mahama over alleged procurement breaches in state insurance placements
43 minutes -
First Atlantic Bank posts strong 2025 results as profit surges 30.5%
46 minutes -
Maguire signs contract extension with Man United
48 minutes -
The WTO is debating trade: The world runs on investment
1 hour