The Living Will

This report investigates whether medical practice deals adequately with the delivery of life-sustaining treatment for those who may not wish to be kept alive. It explores the question of a living will to specify future care and reviews legal and medical situations and ethical implications.

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There is an increasing number of incurably ill and incapacitated people, many of whom are elderly, who can be kept alive for prolonged periods although incompetent to request or refuse treatment. This report, dealing with an increasingly topical and controversial issue, investigates whether medical practice deals adequately with the delivery of life-sustaining treatment for those who may not wish to be kept alive. It explores the question of a living will to specify future care and reviews legal and medical situations and ethical implications and makes recommendations for changes in the light of these findings. Its conclusions and recommendations have the approval of ACIOG and the Centre of Medical Law and Ethics. The book is aimed at health care professionals, including GPs and hospital staff, lawyers, social workers and the clergy and may be of interest to voluntary groups and teachers of social studies.