PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Simon Kerrigan AU - Ian Ormerod TI - Advance planning in end-of-life care: legal and ethical considerations for neurologists AID - 10.1136/jnnp.2009.200113 DP - 2010 Jun 01 TA - Practical Neurology PG - 140--144 VI - 10 IP - 3 4099 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/10/3/140.short 4100 - http://pn.bmj.com/content/10/3/140.full SO - Pract Neurol2010 Jun 01; 10 AB - Neurological illnesses can leave patients unable to make legally valid decisions about their medical treatment. However, this loss of decision making capacity can often be predicted in advance. The law in the UK now enables patients to make legally binding arrangements to either refuse specific treatments in advance or to appoint others to make decisions on their behalf. This article discusses the mechanics of advance planning under UK law and the role of the neurologist in helping patients to plan ahead.