Highlights:

An Advance Decision to refuse treatment must be valid and applicable to the circumstances that arise at the time.

Must state precisely what treatment is to be refused - a statement giving a general desire not to be treated is not enough.

Must set out the circumstances in when the refusal should apply - it is situation dependant.

Even if you choose to refuse a treatment, you will always receive pain relief and care to make sure you are clean and comfortable.

The Advance Decision cannot include a specific instruction intended to end your life.

It is not applicable to the treatment in question:

• If the proposed treatment is not the treatment specified in the Advance Decision.

• If the circumstances are different from those that may have been set out in the advance decision.