An Advance Decision is a document that allows you to set out your wishes and preferences for medical treatment in advance, in the event that you become unable to communicate with your health team (for example, if you fall into a coma or develop dementia). The refusal of medical treatment, including life-prolonging medical treatment, is legally binding with an Advance Decision.
Advance Decisions are sometimes called:
- living wills;
- advance directives.
If you are unable to download the Advance Decision, or have any questions around filling it in, please contact us.
Compassion in Dying provides free legally-binding Advance Decisions which were put together with guidance from medical and legal professionals. The Compassion in Dying Advance Decision is fully compliant with the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and although we strongly recommend you speak to your doctor about your specific medical situation so that you can make informed decisions about your care and treatment wishes, there is no need to consult a solicitor.
The new Compassion in Dying Advance Decision operates in exactly the same way as the previous Dignity in Dying Advance Decision, so if you have made a Dignity in Dying Advance Decision since October 2007 and you feel that it still accurately represents your wishes, there is no need to update it.
Important note:
If you have a living will from before 1 October 2007 it will not have the same legal force as an Advance Decision. Therefore you may wish to consider updating your documents. Free Advance Decisions are available to download by clicking the button below.
You should also make sure you review and resign your Advance Decision every 6 - 12 months.
More information
If you would like more information about Advance Decisions, living wills or other ways to make your wishes and preferences for care known, please visit our Factsheets section.
Compassion in Dying is a founding member of an Advance Decision coalition. Click here for more information.
Advance Decisions
