Living Wills (Advance Medical Directive)

More commonly known as a ‘Living Will’, the Advance Directive (Refusal) is a document in which a person makes known their preferences about future medical treatment, whilst still in full possession of their faculties and gives direction as to what should happen in the event of terminal or serious illness/injury with no hope of recovery. Its purpose is to indicate to the Doctor the persons wishes in regard to their health care, in the event of there being no reasonable prospect of recovery from a serious illness or physical condition expected to cause severe distress or to render the person incapable of rational existence i.e. an acceptable quality of life.

It is usually made with the object of ensuring that, should a patient find themselves in a state of terminal illness and incapacity, no procedures are used in which their life would be sustained or with the intent to prolong life. It would also ensure that if such procedures are already in place then these are withdrawn.

Competent, informed adults have an established legal right to refuse medical procedures in advance. An unambiguous and informed advance refusal is as valid as a contemporaneous decision. Health professionals are bound to comply when the refusal specifically addresses the situation that has arisen.