FirstStop partner Compassion in Dying launch new Information Line

01/06/2011

As part of Dying Matters week, Compassion in Dying, a national charity focussed on end-of-life rights, is today launching a new phone-line dedicated to informing people about their existing legal rights and supporting them in ensuring their end-of-life wishes are respected.

A poll commissioned by Compassion in Dying found that most adults (60%) would only want comfort care at the end of their lives, although just 3% had made their treatment wishes clear in an Advance Decision. Only 8% of people would want full medical intervention at the end of life. The majority (53%) also wrongly believed that they had the legal right to make treatment decisions on behalf of their loved ones, if their loved ones lost the ability to communicate their wishes.

The results of this poll highlight the need for people to be better informed about their legal rights at the end-of-life, so that the medical treatment wishes they express are respected.

Dr Richard Scheffer, retired consultant in Palliative Medicine and Medical Director of an independent hospice said: “People clearly have preferences about what treatment they do or don’t want once they know that they’re dying, but few people have made those preferences clear in Advance Decision documents. People often believe that decisions about their treatment can be made on their behalf by family or friends, while the reality is that in the absence of an Advance Decision or Lasting Power of Attorney(LPA), these decisions are made by healthcare professionals. Doctors or nurses will consult family members, but ultimately it is the healthcare team who must decide what they believe to be in the best interests of the patient - and that may not always be the treatment the patient would have chosen. “I am delighted to be able to support the formation of an information line on end-of-life rights. I believe the phone-line will be of enormous help and support to patients facing their own deaths and also to loved ones trying to ensure that those they care for most have the best treatment at the end of life, based on their own wishes.”

Daniel Pearson, Director of FirstStop said ‘Compassion in Dying offers information and support to people at the end of life around their rights and choices. We believe this compliments our existing Advice and Information service for older people and are pleased to be working in partnership with Compassion in Dying to keep people informed of their choices and rights.”

FirstStop partner Compassion in Dying launch new Information Line

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