Written question asked by Ann Winterton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 November 1999. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the basis is for the distinction he makes between advance directives and advance refusals in respect of patients in persistent vegetative state or otherwise mentally incapacitated.

Answer: Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis is for the distinction he makes between advance directives and advance refusals in respect of patients in persistent vegetative state or otherwise mentally incapacitated. [96522] Mr. Hutton: Advance Statements are anticipatory decisions made while a person is capable, which are intended to give effect to that person's wishes as to how he or she shall be treated or cared for after the loss of capacity. An advance statement can be concerned with the refusal of medical treatment and are then sometimes known as advance directives.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 337 c104W; 96522
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Euthanasia Patients Mental capacity Living wills Persistent vegetative state