Bergkamp Rejects Formal Nurse Role in Treatment Decisions

New survey data revealed that 62 percent of nurses believe they should have a formal role in deciding when to stop medical treatments, according to survey results.

Bergkamp Rejects Formal Nursing Authority

Bergkamp disagrees with granting nurses a formal administrative role in halting treatments. Instead, she emphasizes that good collaboration and an open dialogue surrounding the patient are far more important than rigid institutional rules.

“You have to keep care as simple as possible. Just gather a good, competent team around the patient,” Bergkamp said.

The Case of Tijmen Rozenboom

The debate gained urgency following the documented case of 86-year-old Tijmen Rozenboom. Despite having maintained a formal non-treatment declaration for years, Rozenboom was nevertheless subjected to intensive medical interventions following a hospital admission.

His wife and daughter reported that the unwanted interventions caused an extremely difficult and grueling period for the family. Treatment was ultimately halted after fourteen days, and Rozenboom died in the hospital.

General Practitioners Must Integrate Declarations into Care Agreements

Bergkamp points out that a non-treatment declaration only functions effectively when it is integrated directly into a comprehensive care agreement. A document obtained through a notary is insufficient on its own; explicit arrangements must also be established with the patient’s general practitioner.

General practitioners ensure that patient wishes and finalized agreements are properly recorded in the medical file and shared with the hospital. Good communication remains the most critical factor in preventing unwanted treatments.

Upcoming Broadcast on NPO 2

The topic is scheduled for discussion during the broadcast of Meldpunt Actueel by MAX at 19:50 on NPO 2.