Apparently It's Mad- If Not Downright Illegal- To Refuse Medical Attention.

[poliphilo]

My mother-in-law had a fall and called for assistance. An ambulance arrived and the paramedics checked her over and said she needed to go into hospital. She said, " I'm 87 and quite happy to die. You can't do anything more for me than you've already done so stop messing me about." They said, " If you won't come with us we'll have to declare you temporarily insane".  She still refused to go with them so they called for back-up- including a policeman. After which she went quietly.

They did some tests at the hospital, kept her hanging around, then sent her home.

I understand the paramedics had to cover their backs but even so...