And in the news this week...

Two fascinating stories have kept us talking at PO HQ this week, both incidentally linked by their intimate, hard-hitting honesty.

Firstly, we were struck by the story of Joy Tomkins, an 81 year old lady who has had 'Do not resuscitate' tattooed to her chest. An unusual decision, inspired by a retired nurse who did similar back in 2003, and one that undoubtedly demonstrates the conviction behind this lady's decision.

She resolutely states that she could not bear to "make beds and wash-up for another 20 years". "My mother-in-law lived to be 106 and in the last six years of her life she'd have been much better dead. She was miserable. I'm 81 and don't need any more use. What do you think I'm going to do with the frightful thought of getting to 100?"

I was quite taken by the way Joy speaks about her life, and her absolute acceptance of death. She far from wishes it upon herself, but accepts the inevitable and sounds entirely fearless. "I've had 80 good, interesting years of marriage and children and grandchildren and plenty of friends"she said. "I'm quite happy if I wake up in the morning, but if I don't I'm just as happy."

In a world obsessed with prolonging life, I find it refreshing to hear Joy speak of her appreciation for the healthy years she's had with her family and her calm and resolute approach to death.

In a similarly frank and honest way, Gail Porter spoke this week on Radio 5 about her experiences of being sectioned earlier in the year, and the residual anger she still feels. Gail was sectioned to a secure ward for 17 days, during which time she had very few visitors (at her request) and says the experience has had a profound impact on her. Gail goes on to say that on release she remembers thinking "what was that supposed to have done for me?" and for a long time resented the people who made this decision for her.

As Patient Opinion, we receive lots of stories which detail highly emotional and distressing forced admissions to inpatient care and it's always been fascinating to hear how people feel a little later down the line, at a point where they reflect upon what happened to them and how it made them feel. In that respect, Gail's story has a strong message.

She feels that secured inpatient care wasn't what she needed and that the treatment she received and separation from her family, particularly her young daughter, made her more unwell. She speaks calmly and thoughtfully about the whole experience, and I'm glad to see that she looks happy and healthy.

Gail's words got me thinking about the stories we have, and how important it is that people are supported to express their wishes, especially at the most difficult times and make the right decisions for them. Feeling empowered and confident enough to say what you feel you want and need from health care could really make all the difference.