title: Understanding the legal implications of living wills.
abstract: This article explains the legality of living wills and clarifies the conditions that make an advance statement valid. The practical application of a living will is explored using examples illustrating the necessary considerations. In recognising the legality of advance refusals of treatment, nurses need to be aware that they must abide by such a refusal.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Centre, St Richard's Hospital, Chichester.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D032962:Consent Forms / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016224:Living Wills / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology