A former Government chief scientist has caused controversy by suggesting the over-nineties should choose to stay at home if they get coronavirus, partly to free up hospital beds for younger patients.
Professor Sir David King told Radio 4’s Today they may be “overburdening the NHS” if they are put in a critical care ward and should consider what to do.
His comments came as the Standard learned that some families have received letters from their GP asking them to decide now if elderly relatives in care homes should have hospital treatment or not.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “This is not an NHS letter and the relevant practice is not carrying out this approach.”
She said family doctors were not being asked to have such conversations although many would do so with patients and families.
