The importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare

This very sad case shows the importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. The LPA allows you to appoint someone that you trust (an 'Attorney') to make decisions about your Health and Welfare, should you be mentally incapable of making those decisions yourself. This includes the right to make decisions regarding life sustaining treatment, such as turning off a life support machine.

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COURT OF PROTECTION: Wife succeeds in right-to-die application for 'minimally conscious' husband

A severely injured man in a minimally conscious state is to be allowed to die after the England & Wales Court of Protection accepted his wife's plea to stop life support. Mr Justice Charles agreed that Paul Briggs would not have consented to receive clinically assisted nutrition and hydration and it was not in his best interests for treatment to continue. The Official Solicitor has applied for permission to appeal (Briggs v Briggs, 2016 EWCOP 53).

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/dec/20/paul-briggs-turn-off-life-support-for-police-officer-in-coma-judge-rules