RELATIVES of a Hampshire pensioner who has had the words "Do Not Resuscitate" tattooed on her chest are backing her wishes.

Retired nurse Frances Polack has resorted to body art in a bid to prevent doctors reviving her if she collapses with a serious illness.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, the unique tattoo comprises three words set around a heart with a line through it.

Mrs Polack - a widow - said: "I don't want to die twice.

"By resuscitating me they would be bringing me back from the dead - only for me to have to go through it again.

"There is enormous pressure on doctors and paramedics to try to revive patients at any cost, even when the patient has made their wishes clear.

"I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of living when I should be dead."

Mrs Polack, of Fritham in the New Forest, said she was worried about the prospect of surviving an illness that left her incapacitated.

She stressed that her tattoo also aimed to protect doctors and her family.

"I don't want anyone being blamed if I'm not revived, so I've had 'do not resuscitate' tattooed where doctors can't miss it if they open my blouse to use a defibrillator," said Mrs Polack.

Her decision was praised by her grand-daughter, Judy Czylok, of Cambridge, who described it as a "fantastic gesture".

"I support it without a shadow of a doubt - we all do," she said.

"She has had it done for three reasons - herself, the medics and us. I can think of nothing worse than having to take a decision on her behalf when we were full of emotion.

"She got the idea many years ago when she was a nurse and saw people who had little quality of life."

Ms Czylok's sister, Edinburgh GP Clare Polack, said the medical profession had not paid enough attention to the issue of resuscitation.

She added: "The tattoo is her way of easing her anxiety."

A General Medical Council spokesman said: "Adult patients have the right to refuse treatment, even when refusal might result in their own death, and doctors are legally bound to respect that decision."

Age Concern spokeswoman Sophie Howell added: "This case highlights the vital importance of professionals really listening to patients.

"We want to see an ongoing commitment to better communication with patients about their preferred care."

Three years ago Age Concern claimed that doctors were increasingly deciding not to resuscitate seriously ill patients.

This was highlighted by the case of cancer sufferer Jill Baker, 67, who spotted a DNR (do not resuscitate) order in her medical notes after she was admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth.

In 2001 the medical profession announced new guidelines that aimed to end the confusion on when it is acceptable not to resuscitate a patient.

Age Concern described it as a victory for pensioners, who feared they were at risk of not being revived simply because of their age.

Mrs Polack had her tattoo done by Steve Ferguson at The Tattoo Man in Rumbridge Street, Totton.

A spokeswoman said: "She came in with a friend and brought her own design, which was similar to a no-smoking sign.

"We were a bit surprised and asked her if it was what she really wanted."

A spokesman for the New Forest Primary Care Trust was unavailable to comment on whether doctors would respect Mrs Polack's wishes.