Living Wills

Also known as active declarations, are documents that set out a patient’s wishes regarding health care and how they want to be treated if they become seriously ill and unable to make or communicate their own choices.

However the Mental Capacity Bill designed to give Living Wills full statutory force faces significant revolt from MP’s and whether the Bill will be passed remains to be seen as campaigners against the Bill believe that people who sign a living will are likely to change there mind if they become incapacitated.  Surrounding the concept is a misplaced fear that the Bill will legalise euthanasia, where in fact the aim of the Bill is to provide better safeguards when decisions are made for people who lack capacity.

So just what is a Living Will?

In essence it is a carefully drafted document in which you can inform doctors and relatives of your wishes and instructions regarding health care if you become unable to make decisions.

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For more information please contact Neil Shaw of our Private Client Department on 01274 848800 or email at nshaw@lcf.co.uk