Ill patient 'controls' treatment

Penny Bassey wants to control decisions affecting her treatment

A Nottinghamshire motor neurone sufferer is among the first people in England to use a new law enabling patients to refuse some treatment.

Penny Bassey, 60, from Coddington near Newark has put her wishes in writing in case she loses the capacity to speak.

She does not want to be artificially fed or resuscitated.

The Mental Capacity Act comes fully into force on 1 October, giving people a right in law to say in advance what they want in terms of treatment.

'In charge'

Mrs Bassey said: "If I need any invasive treatment, for instance if I were to collapse with a heart attack, then at that point I wouldn't want... resuscitation or to start again.

"... Because I have a terminal illness anyhow I don't want that kind of treatment in that situation...

"I now feel that I am in charge, as much as I possibly can be, of decisions about my treatment. At the moment I can certainly vocalise them."

Her husband Michael added: "I've lived and loved Penny for 25 years and it's been great, and I want her to remain in control of her life and when the time comes to die with dignity."