title: Advanced decisions to refuse treatment in emergency situations.
abstract: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 has formalised how people can make advance decisions about the care they would like to receive when they no longer have the capacity to do so. Advanced decisions to refuse life-sustaining treatment must be in writing, signed and witnessed, which can be difficult to act on in an emergency situation. This article discusses some of the complex issues concerned.
authors.affiliation: Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey, Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cummings
keywords: Capacity; Mental Capacity Act; advanced decision; competency; refusing treatment