New website will give people 'greater control over their death'

Greater control: Compassion in Dying said too few people are planning for how they want to be treated at the end of their lives
John Stillwell/PA
Jamie Bullen5 January 2016

A website which allows people to declare how they wish to be treated in the final weeks of their lives is set to launch this week.

Compassion in Dying, a charity that supports people to exercise their rights over end-of-life treatment, said MyDecisions.org.uk will give people greater control over their death.

The group said the website was created in response to fears not enough people were planning for how they want to be treated in the advanced stages of their life.

A statement on the MyDecisions.org.uk homepage reads: “You might not like to think about it but there might come a time when you're too unwell to tell those caring for you - like your family or a doctor - what you do and don't want to happen.”

Anyone visiting the site can fill out an “advance decision” where users can refuse any drugs or medical treatments that may be given to them at some time in the future.

The document, also known as a living will, is legally binding meaning any healthcare professional that ignores it risks going to court.

The website also allows people to make an “advance statement” to declare preferences, wishes and beliefs for those who might have to make choices for them should they lose the capacity to make their own decisions.

According to research commissioned by the charity, only 4 per cent of Britons made a record of their preferences last year.

The website is set to go live on Thursday.

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