Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment or "Right to Die" Cards

[ambriel]

There's a lot of chatter about so-called 'Right to Die' cards, recently issued by Salford City Council.

BBC NEWS | Magazine | The card that lets you choose death

In the event of you being in an accident the cards inform medical professionals that you have made an advance decision to refuse treatment, and give the contact details of three people from whom they can get a copy of your full statement.

The thought of being involved in a serious accident, and trapped in a broken body with no chance of recovery or making my wishes known is something that terrifies me.

I have a copy of the card but haven't yet decided whether or what to put in my advance decision statement.

Does anyone else here have one and what do people think about these cards?

"Refuse treatment" is too open to debate. Particularly legal debate.

What does it mean? WHEN do you refuse treatment? In what circumstances? and does it take into account that you may have signed the card ten years ago, when possible treatments have WAY surpassed what was possible when you made the decision?

This is a legal minefield. I do not think they will catch on. PARTICULARLY after a few court cases have shown them to be unworkable in practice.

[poppy]

I know someone with "do not resuscitate" tattooed on her chest next to her heart and also on her wrist.
I think I would do the same if I were brave enough to have a tattoo.
If I stand a good chance of leaving this world, I dont want anyone robbing me of it.

Originally Posted by von Clausewitz

"Refuse treatment" is too open to debate. Particularly legal debate.

What does it mean? WHEN do you refuse treatment? In what circumstances? and does it take into account that you may have signed the card ten years ago, when possible treatments have WAY surpassed what was possible when you made the decision?

This is a legal minefield. I do not think they will catch on. PARTICULARLY after a few court cases have shown them to be unworkable in practice.

It's totally illegal, no one has the 'right to die', and attending doctors who have taken their hypocratic oath would be in difficulty complying, their NHS manager probably wouldn't though.

[Sweetpea]

I would like one. My partner died from Motor Neurone Disease and I would never want to go through what he did.

You'd have to move to Switzerland.

[poppy]

Everyone in this country has a legal right to refuse ressus.
this is from the government website.

When a person's heart and breathing stops it's sometimes possible to restart the heart using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Recovery after CPR varies and the patient may not regain their previous level of physical or mental health. If you don't want CPR you can refuse it and your wishes must be followed.

Resuscitation and your right to refuse it : Directgov - Health and well-being

quote "...
If you decide against CPR you will continue to receive the best possible care. A note will be added to your records that you are 'not for cardiopulmonary resuscitation' (sometimes called 'do-not-attempt-resuscitation' or DNAR). Note that a DNAR relates only to CPR. You would continue to receive others types of life-saving treatment you need...."

Not quite the same thing as having a choice about whether you live or die.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by churchill

You'd have to move to Switzerland.

I may have a few years left yet, hopefully there will be a change in the law before it matters. If not, I have discussed other means with my daughters. I am quite serious, in that when I want to go, I will. Sod the law.git2

[poppy]

I am with you on this one Sweet, if I develop something like that I am taking the exit door before I become incapable of doing so.
I wont much care what the law makes of it I will be gone, and they can go whistle.