End-of-life issues: common law and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The preceding articles in this group of the series have thus far identified the common law principles in the sections of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in respect of certain groups of people--those who retain their capacity to organize their own health-related affairs, those who have lost their capacity to self-determine their health choices on a temporary basis, and those who are no longer competent but who had previously identified their choices in respect of treatments and care. One common theme attaches to these groups--they all fall within the common law principles that underpin the health-related needs of those whose lives are supposed to continue after the decisions have been identified. This article, the last in this group, addresses specifically the legal principles, the ethical and moral dimensions, and the practical aspects of decisions where the consequence will be death--the so called 'end-of-life issues'.
Fullbrook
Suzanne
S
Nursing Law and Politics, Faculty of Health, London South Bank University.
D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D033222:Judicial Role; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006113:United Kingdom