Under new plans, people will be able to appoint a 'champion' to say yes or no to life-sustaining treatment once they are too ill to do so themselves.
Adults will be able to appoint someone to speak and instruct a doctor on their behalf.
This is part of the Mental Capacity Act, which comes into force next year.
Under plans to implement the act Ministers will consider whether to include the power to refuse life-sustaining care.
The proposals have been criticised as amounting to "back-door euthanasia".
The plans are outlined in a consultation paper from the Department of Constitutional Affairs.
People would indicate their wishes by way of a tick box form - a 'yes' or 'no' to give their representative the power of attorney over their healthcare.
People would then answer a two line question asking whether the person being granted power of attorney would be able to give or refuse consent to life sustaining treatment on their behalf.
Laws for some time have allowed people to appoint their friends or relatives to look after their financial affairs if they become incapacitated.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the proposals were not a step towards euthanasia.
"These new rules will allow someone to give their representative lasting power of attorney to carry out their wishes after the point at which they are unable to do so themselves."
"This is a positive step to extend the rights of people to decide their own care," said private client solicitor at Alexander Harris.
The consultation paper on the Act was issued by the government on 20th January. The consultation ends on 14th April.
The idea is that people who choose to make lasting power of attorney can do so under clear, easy-to-follow processes and simple and effective forms.
BackRelated news stories
- 08/08/2006: Right to life case - Leslie Burke's appeal is rejected by European Court of Human Rights
- 09/06/2006: Medical expert calls for legalisation of euthanasia
- 17/05/2006: Right to life case - Leslie Burke lodges appeal at European Court of Human Rights
- 15/05/2006: Right to die - Lords vote against bill which advocates assisted dying
- 01/03/2006: Right to life case - baby may have life-sustaining treatment withdrawn
- 27/02/2006: Girl given life-sustaining treatment after medical experts recommend treatment
- 01/07/2005: BMA rules on right to life - right to die
If you believe that you might have a legal claim relating to this story, please complete the online enquiry form or call 0870 024 0558. Your enquiry will be forwarded to a solicitor who specialises in this area.
If you have any comments in relation to this story, please use the online discussion forum.
This news section contains stories of interest to our clients from publicly available news sources. Where we are representing the clients referred to in the news material we will say so. Where we do not represent individuals or bodies mentioned or quoted, the inclusion of the news story in our news section is not intended nor should it be taken to imply that we act for the individual or body concerned.
Related Areas
I have complete faith and trust in everyone at Alexander Harris. I feel I must congratulate you for securing the best possible compensation amount for me. You have done a super job! Len: Stoke-on-Trent
