Every adult with mental capacity has the right to agree to or refuse medical treatment. To make your advance wishes clear you can use a living will.
Living wills can include general statements about your wishes, and specific refusals of treatment called 'advanced decisions' or 'advance directives'.
A Living Will can set out which treatments you feel you would or wouldn't like to receive should you lose mental capacity in the future.
Living Wills aren't legally binding, but health professionals do have to take them into account when deciding on a course of action. Family and friends can also use them as evidence of your wishes.
You could also make your views known verbally, for example when discussing treatment with a health care professional, but having them written down may make things clearer for everyone.
Your statement could include:
- treatment you would be happy to have, and in what circumstances
- treatment you would want, no matter how ill you were
- treatment you would prefer not to have, and in what circumstances
- someone you would like to be consulted about your treatment at the time a decision needs to be made
We can prepare a Living Will for you or you may want to incorporate your wishes into a Lasting Power of Attorney – covering your Health and Welfare.
We are able to prepare documents tailored to your own diagnosed medical condition or a general Living Will which reflects your wishes should you be diagnosed or become unwell in the future. Each document is tailored to your own beliefs, our caring and compassionate team are experienced in dealing with different sets of circumstances and are able to visit you at home should that be more convenient for you.
