Advance Decisions
Statement - emergency treatment
MedicAlert is unique in being able to register an individual's Advance Decision and communicate important personal wishes regarding treatment in an emergency. An Advance Decision ensures that an individual's choice about treatment is recognised even if they are seriously ill with little chance of recovery and are no longer be able to communicate their wishes.
Statement - mental capacity
MedicAlert is unique in being able to register an individual's Advance Decision. Registering an Advance Decision means that people can plan for the future, when they may no longer have the capacity to make their own decisions, for example as a result of Alzheimer's or other medical conditions. This in turn can also help to take the pressure off family members regarding treatment decisions and ensure an individual's preferences are clearly understood and respected.
How many of your Members have registered Advance Decisions?
Advance Decisions have recently become legal under statutory law. MedicAlert is one of very few organisations able to provide healthcare professionals with immediate access to the details of an Advance Decision in an emergency. Around 700 people have currently registered Advance Decisions with MedicAlert.
Increase of Advance Decisions as a result of mental incapacity.
Many people consider making an Advance Decision to ensure that their wishes regarding treatment are respected should they no longer have the capacity to make their own decisions, for example, as a result of Alzheimer's or other medical conditions. The Alzheimer's Society estimates that there are currently around 750,000 people in the UK with dementia. With a growing elderly population this figure is likely to increase significantly, along with the use of Advance Decisions.
Isn't this just euthanasia by the back door?
Advance Decisions recognise an individual's specific and personal wishes regarding treatment relating to end of life issues or for other reasons, for example religious convictions regarding medical treatment.
People change their minds. How does MedicAlert ensure that Advance Decisions are current?
If a Member wishes to register an Advance Decision they are required to provide MedicAlert with a full and signed copy of any advance directive before these details can be noted on their records. A copy of the original documentation is also held and scanned onto our files so that this information can be communicated quickly and easily to healthcare professionals in an emergency.
Summary of legal requirements
For an Advance Decision to be legally binding the patient must be over 18, have the mental capacity to make the medical decisions contained in the Advance Decision at the time they sign it and understand the consequences of their decisions. In addition their wishes as to future treatment need to be clear and apply to the medical circumstances which later arise. The decision to make a Advance Decision must not be made under somebody else's influence.
