Advance Decision Making : Introduction

Advance Decision Making, often referred to as an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT), is a vital component of healthcare planning that empowers individuals to express their treatment preferences in advance. It provides a legal framework for individuals to make decisions about their medical care, particularly in circumstances where they may lack the capacity to do so at the time of treatment.

In the United Kingdom, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 governs the creation and use of Advance Decisions. These legal documents allow individuals to specify which medical treatments they would refuse if they were to lose the capacity to make decisions due to an impairment or disturbance in their mental capacity. Advance Decisions respect the principle of autonomy, ensuring that a person's healthcare choices are upheld even when they cannot communicate them directly.