'Living Will' Bill Debated In Dáil

A ‘living will’ bill, which would allow people to set out the level of treatment they wish to receive should they become terminally ill or incapacitated and unable to communicate, was today debated in the Dáil and passed the second stage.

Living wills, also known as advanced healthcare directives, take the control of what happens at the end of life “out of the hands of medical professionals” and “back to patients”, Fine Gael TD Dr Liam Twomey said.

The Advanced Healthcare Decisions Bill was introduced by Dr Twomey during private member’s time and has the support of the government. It will now go before the health committee.

Dr Twomey added that the Bill would “remove the God-like ability of the doctor to decide what is the best course of action “ and allow a patient “to clearly state whether or not they would like their life to be spared to the nth degree”.

Amnesty International has welcomed the introduction of the new Bill but said protections must be extended to cover decisions relating to mental health treatment.

The episodic nature of mental health problems means many people know what works best for them in a time of crisis, Colm O'Gorman executive director of Amnesty International Ireland said.

(H)