Preparation of a Living Will

A Living Will is a document allowing you to make a decision about your future health care.

• If you were to have a terminal or serious illness, you may not wish to be resuscitated or kept alive artificially.
   
• The term Living Will is a general term used to cover a variety of documents.   It is not a technical term but is generally taken to describe a document which sets out your wishes regarding your future medical care or treatment to be referred to at a time when you are not able to express your wishes.  This will include “advance decisions”.  Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 these wishes can be binding if found to be valid and applicable.  There is no prescribed form for advance decisions but they must be in writing if they relate to the refusal of life sustaining treatment.
   
• A Lasting Power of Attorney can be used to appoint an individual to make health care decisions on your behalf.
   
• If you would like further information about this then do please ask us.