SIR – In response to the outcry about “The Pathway”.

I have been a nurse for nearly 40 years and I have seen many deaths. We all have to die; we are not meant to be immortal. If the patient is terminally ill and in terrible pain (which happens) the Liverpool Care Pathway is intended to “ease and stop pain”, allay anxiety, stress and depression and assist the person to a comfortable end with dignity.

It is not entered into lightly and only when there is no alternative and the patient is suffering greatly.

The other point is that people who are close to dying, in the main, do not want to eat and later do not want to drink; this is nature’s way of helping them along an inevitable journey. Also, if you try to feed or give fluids at this stage, they will more than likely choke because their swallowing reflex will have gone.

This is in no way meant to be heartless, and myself and many other nurses and carers have cried buckets when someone has died.

I’ve talked to other nurses and most of them and myself would choose the Pathway. Obviously, hospitals should not get any financial incentive for unblocking wards this way.

J Brear, Manor Road, Cottingley