Advance decision

An advance decision allows a person to state what forms of treatment they would or would not like should they become unable to decide for themselves in the future. It is intended to be a binding refusal of certain kinds of treatment as specified by the person making the advance decision.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 gives people in England and Wales a statutory right to refuse treatment through the use of an advance decision. An advance decision is distinct from an advance statement which is a statement of general beliefs and aspects of life which a person values.

For more details and an example of a form that can be used to draft an advance decision please read factsheet 463, Advance decision

See also factsheet 460, Mental Capacity Act 2005