RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Advance planning in end-of-life care: legal and ethical considerations for neurologists
JF Practical Neurology
JO Pract Neurol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 140
OP 144
DO 10.1136/jnnp.2009.200113
VO 10
IS 3
A1 Simon Kerrigan
A1 Ian Ormerod
YR 2010
UL http://pn.bmj.com/content/10/3/140.abstract
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.