Autonomy and the competent patient's right to refuse life-prolonging medical treatment--again.
This article discusses the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of the United Kingdom in Re B (Adult: Refusal of Medical Treatment) [2002] 2 All ER 449, which confirmed the common law right of a competent patient to refuse medical treatment, even though exercise of the right would (and later did) result in the patient's own death. Re B indicates that if a competent refusal is not respected, health professionals and hospitals face the prospect of awards of damages being made against them for unlawful trespass.
Manning
Joanna
J
Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. j.manning@auckland.ac.nz
D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016743:Mental Competency; D010358:Patient Participation; D028701:Patient Rights; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012297:Right to Die; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom; D026712:Value of Life