What is an Advance Decision?
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 gave mentally competent adults the legal right to refuse medical treatment, including life-prolonging treatments such as resuscitation or artificial nutrition. They also allow you to request life-sustaining treatment, no matter what your prospects of recovery, although doctors do not have to respect these requests.
An Advance Decision (formerly known as living will) is a legally-binding document that individuals can use to state their wish to refuse treatment in advance, in the event that they lose mental capacity or the ability to communicate. They could also nominate someone to make decisions for them through a health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
Compassion in Dying provides Advance Decisions free of charge. Visit www.compassionindying.org.uk/ or call 020 7479 7731 for more information.
‘Carers can find themselves in intolerable situations trying to communicate the assumed wishes of a family member when in need of care in an emergency. A system that makes Advanced Directives accessible will benefit carers and those they care for – ensuring people can have the care they wish for at the end of their lives’
Carole Cochrane
CEO, Princess Royal Trust for Carers
