Living Wills

In most instances when you are ill, you are able to discuss treatment options with your doctor and jointly reach a decision about future treatment. An occasion may arise when you are admitted to hospital when unconscious or unable, on a temporary or permanent basis, to communicate your wishes. You may not be able to process information and understand the implications of the treatment being proposed. Under these circumstances, you may wish to provide information about your views and wishes in the form of an Advance Directive or Living Will. This allows you to state your preferences and indicate what forms of medical treatment you would or would not like to be carried out should you, in the future, be unable to decide or communicate your wishes for yourself. This can also reflect any religious or other beliefs that are important to you and you can nominate someone who you would like to be consulted at a time a decision has to be made.

There is only one form of advance statement that is legally binding – an Advance Directive. Although, as yet, there is no specific Act of Parliament which covers Advance Directives, they are recognised and must be upheld under common law.

For Advance Directives to be valid, you must:

• have been 18 or over at the time the document was prepared and signed.
• have been mentally competent and not suffering from any mental distress at the time the directive was drawn up.
• not have been influenced or harassed by anyone else when preparing the Advance Directive.
• appear to have been fully informed about the treatment options and their implications when the Advance Directive was made.
• not have modified the Advance Directive verbally or in writing since it was signed and dated.

It is not necessary to involve a solicitor, although you may wish a solicitor to confirm that your views are clearly presented. However, it is always advisable to discuss your intentions with family and friends. Your family, friends and medical professionals involved in your care need to be aware of the Directive's existence and a copy should be held on your medical records.

Further information, and blank Advance Directive forms, are available from the Administration Office at the surgery. Information is also produced by the following organisations:-

Age Concern

0800 009966 www.ageconcern.org.uk

Alzheimer’s Society

08453 000336 www.alzheimers.org.uk

Patients' Association

08456 084455 www.patients-association.com

Mind

0845 760163 www.mind.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

02078 020300 www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust

08451 221200 www.tht.org.uk

Bequeathing your Body

Patients who would like to donate their body for the education and training of doctors, or for medical research, should either contact:-

The Anatomy Department at the University of Cambridge.
Call the University Bequeathal Secretary on 01223 333776 for further information and the forms required.

or write to:-

The Human Tissue Authority
Finlaison House
15-17 Furnival Street
London EC4A