Advance Decision

Advance Decision

A UK term for a verbal or written statement by an individual which delineates medical treatments that he/she does not want, if in the future he or she loses the capacity to make informed decisions.
Requirements, advance decision Person must be 18 or older; delineate exactly which treatments are not wanted in the future (if the person does not want any form of life-saving treatment, that decision must be signed and witnessed); explain the circumstances under which the person making the advance decision would want to refuse treatment; made the decision without duress or undue influence; and not subsequently say or do something that would contradict the advance decision since it was made.