The Bma book on advance directives is out of print ( so popular!) . We
also collaborated with the PATIENTS' ASSOCN ON A BOOKLET FOR PATIENTS
WHICH PATIENTS FIND REALLY USEFUL You could send for that. THE CLAER
ISSUE THAT EMERGED WHEN WEWERE WORKING ON THIS REPORT ( which became bma
policy) is that it is the family `Gp who is the key player here NOT a
lawyer. It all hinges on the issue of informed consent. The pt's GP not a
lawyer will be able to discuss the possible course of the patient's
illness, so that , whilst still compos mentis and physically capable of
communicating , they can indicate the way they would like their care to
be managed if they become incapable as their illness advances, to make
their wishes known.
The ethics dept of the BMA is likely to be helpful on the phone . Terence
Higgins Trust in LonDOn and the voluntary Euthanasia Scy both have
helpful leaflets and proformas for advanced directives . Typed in haste -
Fleur Fisher.
PS OF COURSE, adv. directives do NOT allow the patient to request that
their life be ended, but they can refuse treatment, or request that it be
withdrawn in particular circs.Sorry if that all sounds blindingly
obvious. Regards, Fleur Fisher former BMA hack
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