Assisted suicide is undoubtedly a controversial issue, with strongly held views on both sides of the argument. Premilla Fade sets out the British Geriatrics Society's 2015 position on this issue.
Assessment of mental capacity should be a routine part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. This guide lays out the principles which govern testing mental capacity, advance care decisions and powers of attorney, along with the safeguards.
End of life care refers specifically to the last few days or hours of life, when maintenance of comfort and dignity, and avoidance of pain and distress take priority. Many of the principles of care at the end of life are shared with CGA.
Dr Eileen Burns looks at how Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, better communication and palliative care principles can improve the quality of end of life care for older people, and asks: what constitutes a good death?
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are protections for adults who lack mental capacity to consent to, say, admission to hospital or a care home for treatment or care. Caroline Cooke and Premila Fade assess why they are being reviewed and the Law Commission's proposals.
Physicians practising in general internal medicine (GIM) commonly manage illness in patients who may be in the last phase of their lives. It is therefore an important part of the specialist training programme to manage patient and family involvement.
There is lack of clarity in the terminology used, and the difference between ‘holding’ and ‘restraint’. This presents a legal and professional dilemma for nurses.
What is mental capacity? What do we really mean when we ask if a patient has (or lacks) capacity? Capacity often depends on context. The ethical conundrum of mental capacity unravelled.
Advance care planning (including end of life discussions) is being promoted as part of the NHS end of life care strategy. Such discussions require great care. The BGS with others have prepared guidelines on advance care planning which we summarise here.
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