Advice centre

To mark the Dying Matters national awareness week, between 13 and 19 May, Medical Protection asked nearly 400 members in the UK about their experiences on a number of issues such as DNACPR, organ donation and withdrawal of treatment.

In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that healthcare professionals across the UK no longer need to seek legal permission to withdraw treatment from patients in a permanent vegetative state

Mental capacity is the ability to make a decision. If a person lacks capacity, they have an impairment or disturbance that leaves them unable to make a decision. A patient’s capacity to make decisions about their own care is a fundamental part of matters relating to end of life care

When consenting for a procedure, wherever there is a risk of death – no matter how small – would you always mention this risk?

A procurator fiscal investigates all sudden and suspicious deaths in Scotland, conducts fatal accident inquiries and handles criminal complaints against the police. There are 11 procurator fiscals, each covering a specific geographical location within Scotland, who between them investigate around 14,000 sudden deaths each year

When treating a patient who is close to death, clear communication and collective decision-making are as important as any clinical intervention

Confidentiality is at the centre of maintaining trust between patients and doctors. But what are your obligations to a patient after they have died?

Guidance from NHS England underlines the importance of clear and honest communication when treating a patient who has reached the end of life.