I AM writing to highlight NHS policy which brought heartache to me and my wife.

My wife was admitted to the Great Western Hospital on February 27 and passed away on March 2 this year.

On March 2 my wife's condition was such that the doctor treating my wife spoke to her on her own, gave her the options of treatment, aggressive treatment, which my wife did not want as she was 85 years old.

The doctor then called me at home as I had been at the hospital every day, ever since my wife was admitted I had left my wife at 10.30pm the previous night to get some rest.

The doctor spoke to me separately and told me that my wife would not last 24 hours.

I was in shock, so I went to see my wife and she was very distressed.

I had been my wife's carer for the last five years, the amount of time we had been married.

We comforted each other, made decisions together and supported each other 24 hours a day my wife needed me to be there when the doctor spoke to her.

I spoke to the doctor about this and she said it was NHS policy to speak to the patient first and then talk to husband or wife.

My wife lived for another 12 hours before she died.

I am heartbroken, I could not be with my wife when she needed me. I needed her as well.

I will never get over my wife's death. I am sure others have been in this situation.

This policy does not take into account individuals' feelings and emotions and causes much heartache.

P CHANDLER.

(husband of five years).

Swindon