‘Advance directives’ reduce the need for deathbed decisions
I READ with interest Phil Dupre’s letter published in Monday’s Open Lines. I am sure there will be much discussion for and against the proposed debate on assisted dying but I wonder if I might offer my thoughts on the subject of making an advance decision to refuse treatment. (A living will, as it is sometimes known.)
This does not allow someone to ask for their life to be ended but enables one to have choice in their treatment at the end of their life.
Planning ahead for the end of one’s life is not something people usually find easy to do or even to talk about, but making your wishes known while you are well and have capacity empowers you to achieve the peace of mind that, when the time comes, your decisions will be followed and respected at the end of your life.
An advance decision sets out the specific circumstances in which you would not want treatment to be given or you might choose to have treatment withdrawn and it can cover areas such as resuscitation, artificial hydration, antibiotics or artificial ventilation. This document is then made available to health care professionals and your wishes can be followed even if you are no longer able to communicate them yourself if, for example, you are in a coma or have dementia.
To enable this to be lawful, a Mental Capacity Bill needs to be in place. Although the Mental Capacity Law has been approved by the States I am advised by Deputy Matt Fallaize that it still sits in the drafting process and he has written to the relevant committee asking for it to be prioritised. This is essential legislation which needs to be in place and, also, for advance directives to be lawful in Guernsey. Mr Fallaize has assured me that he will endeavour to make sure that advance decisions are part of the discussions in the upcoming debate in the States on assisted dying.
Advance decisions are lawful in England and Wales and since 2016, in Jersey, where they are part of their Mental Capacity Law.
On a personal level, both my elderly parents-in-law had advance directives, which they had made years before, and these were followed at the end of their lives.
This took away decisions from us, their family, at a very difficult time, but meant they died peacefully and with dignity and in a way of their choosing where their wishes were honoured.
EILEEN COLLINS,
Address withheld.