A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of personal choice and dignity in health care treatment has been launched.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) and NHS Western Cheshire combined to publicise the ‘Advanced Decision To Refuse Treatment’, a new piece of legislation included in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The act enables anyone aged 18 years or above who is mentally capable of making decisions to refuse any medical treatment they may require in the future.
This advance refusal of treatment will only come into force at a time when a person loses the mental capacity to make decisions; for example due to a stroke or dementia. Family and friends should be informed of this decision and what it says so that they can speak on the patient’s behalf if needed.
Cllr Brenda Dowding, executive member for adult social care and health directorate, said: “An advance decision can be verbal or written and must clearly state the exact treatments to be refused and under what circumstances.
“If the advanced decision is to refuse life-sustaining treatment, it must be written, signed and witnessed and state clearly that the decision applies ‘even if life is at risk’. Copies should be given to key people, family and a person’s GP for example.
“The signatory can change his or her mind and alter or cancel their advance decision at any time as long as they have mental capacity to do so.”
The campaigners believe that it is important that a person fully understands the implications of refusing a particular treatment from a medical professional.
For more information, visit www.cheshirewest andchester/mca