Advance Decisions

Also known as an Advance Directive or a Living Will, an Advance Decision allows you to inform your GP of medical treatments you may or may not wish to be given in the future if/when you’re not able to make decisions (or communicate them) at that time, e.g. when you are too sick, either mentally or physically, or when you are dying.

For an Advance Decision to be valid, there are various criteria which need to be fulfilled.

Queens Road Medical Practice can recommend the charity ‘Compassion in Dying’ for information regarding Advance Decisions.

Their website (https://compassionindying.org.uk/) contains a very good template and advice to ensure your wishes are observed.

Once you have completed an Advance Decision, it is very important to meet with your usual GP and discuss your wishes. This is so that they can be sure you understand the implications of your decisions and that you have made the decisions of your own free will.

It is also a good idea to discuss your wishes with close family or friends, so that in the event you are no longer able to communicate your wishes, everyone is aware of them.

If you have any queries regarding Advance Decisions, please contact us on 01481 724184 and ask for Linsey English, Advance Decision Administrator.

If you have completed an Advance Decision and are ready to discuss it with your GP, please book an appointment on your usual surgery number.