Hospital Wine Bar

KQ · 10-13-2016, 03:58 PM

Leave it to the French!

Hospital to open WINE BAR for terminally ill patients to party out their final days

Medical professionals at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital in France believe a few drinks with friends and family could dramatically enhance their quality of life

A French hospital will become the first in the world to open up a wine bar in a bid to cheer up terminally ill patients in their final dying days.

Top doctors at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital believe a few drinks with friends and family could dramatically enhance their quality of life.

The bar will be based in the palliative care centre, where staff will be trained in how best to deal with partying patients.

Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital Center said in statement the terminally ill will be allowed to enjoy a 'medically supervised' glass or two with their families.

The centre's head, Dr. Virginie Guastella, said terminally ill patients have the right to enjoy themselves too.

He said: "Why should we refuse the charms of the soil to those at the end of their lives? Nothing justifies such an prohibition.

"Medically supervised tastings will help brighten what is often a difficult daily life."

Dr. Guastella told The Local: "A situation can be palliative for several weeks or even several months and it’s because life is so precious and real until the end that we decided to cultivate all that is fine and good.

“It’s a way of rethinking the care of others, taking into account their feelings and emotions that make them a human being.”

Scientists have long claimed wine can benefit your health in moderate doses but this is the first instance of a hospital giving alcohol to terminally ill patients in order to boost their mood.

But wine also contains resveratrol, which is said to help prevent heart attacks, combat obesity, lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots and even help combat cancer.

Researchers at the University of Leicester are looking at whether resveratrol, on its own, not in red wine, could one day be developed into a cancer-preventing drug.

They have found a daily amount of resveratrol equivalent to two glasses of wine can halve the rate of bowel tumours in mice.

Scientists want to start clinical trials and find out how the compound might work in human beings.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-n...inally-3952102

**BmillsSkier** · 10-13-2016, 04:02 PM

Pfft. They've been doing this for decades with the daytime drinkers at my local dive. It's a mile to the hospital so maybe not as convenient.

**Benny Profane** · 10-13-2016, 04:18 PM

They should have a few big bowls of Oxycodin and a few other fun pills on the bar instead of snacks.

**old goat** · 10-13-2016, 04:35 PM

I've worked in hospitals where patients could order wine with dinner. I doubt it was good wine. I think at most hospitals in the US these days almost all patients, even hospice patients, are discharged before they feel well enough to enjoy wine. I imagine the practice still lingers in swanky hospitals where wealthy patients are paying cash and stay as long as they feel like it. The French seem to have a fairly loose definition of terminally ill--although judging by the way the ski, climb, and drive, they're pretty much all terminal.

PB · 10-13-2016, 07:00 PM

really; terminally ill (presumably close to death), and drinking/partying don't really go together.
Spiritually perhaps, but physically, not so much.

**old goat** · 10-13-2016, 11:19 PM

"It is a good day to die."

**neufox47** · 10-14-2016, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

They should have a few big bowls of boomers and a few other fun psychedelics on the bar instead of snacks.

Fify

**Meadow Skipper** · 10-14-2016, 07:42 AM

I consider whiskey to be medicinal.

**The Tortoise** · 10-14-2016, 08:08 AM

**CantDog** · 10-14-2016, 09:10 AM

I read an article about this a year or so ago, it really is a wonderful idea. I think there are some Joint commission things that likely prevent it from happening in the hospital, but on the inpatient hospice side of things where I sometimes am it's not uncommon for families to bring in some wine(there was one wonderful family that brought a blender in and was making margaritas on cinco de mayo). It wasn't too long ago that we had alcohol in the hospital for withdrawal--and I've heard stories you can still order a beer from the VA inpatient pharmacy.

There is utility in it for the patient, but also the family. Despite the
medicalization of death it remains a social construct. Retaining as much humanity as possible plus the ability for families to share is important. Sure, imminently dying patients likely won't be drinking, but on an impatient hospice service we have lots of folks who are terminal, but still eating, drinking, living life.

**Meadow Skipper** · 10-14-2016, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by CantDog

There is utility in it for the patient, but also the family. Despite the
medicalization of death it remains a social construct. Retaining as much humanity as possible plus the ability for families to share is important.

This is a great thought.

Sure, imminently dying patients likely won't be drinking, but on an impatient hospice service we have lots of folks who are terminal, but still eating, drinking, living life.

Heh. Funny typo.

PB · 10-14-2016, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by CantDog

I read an article about this a year or so ago, it really is a wonderful idea. I think there are some Joint commission things that likely prevent it from happening in the hospital, but on the inpatient hospice side of things where I sometimes am it's not uncommon for families to bring in some wine(there was one wonderful family that brought a blender in and was making margaritas on cinco de mayo). It wasn't too long ago that we had alcohol in the hospital for withdrawal--and I've heard stories you can still order a beer from the VA inpatient pharmacy.

There is utility in it for the patient, but also the family. Despite the
medicalization of death it remains a social construct. Retaining as much humanity as possible plus the ability for families to share is important. Sure, imminently dying patients likely won't be drinking, but on an impatient hospice service we have lots of folks who are terminal, but still eating, drinking, living life.

I gladly defer to your broader experience - if the hospice patient wants it, by all means. My only experience with hospice both parents) was that they were waaaaay past appreciating alcohol's subtle effect, especially in combination with heavy pain meds. Family, on the other hand ...... I would love 4 ounces of Pendleton 1910 while watching Mom slowly fade.