QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Advance Statements are not a legally binding document, wheras Advance DIrectives are.
62161
d
An Advance Statement is a legally binding document outlining specific treatments a patient would and would not wish to receive in their future care
QuestionChoice
This is the definition of an advance statement
62158
a
An Advance Statement is a document outlining general wishes, feelings, beliefs and values surrounding a patient's future care, to which decision-makers can refer when making best-interests decisions in the event of loss of capacity
QuestionChoice
This is a Do Not Attempt CPR form. Advance Statements are not standardised and cover more than just wishes regarding CPR, although this could be included in an Advance Statement.
62162
e
An Advance Statement is a standardised document that indicates that the patient is not for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest
QuestionChoice
They are two disctinct documents.
62159
b
An Advance Statement is another interchangable term for an Advance Decision
QuestionChoice
Advance Statements are not a legally binding document, wheras Advance DIrectives are.
62160
c
An Advance Statement is a legally binding document refusing specific future treatments
Concept
Chapter
# Overview

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) includes provisions that allow people to plan for their care in advance, for a situation in the future where they do not have the capacity to make decisions. Two of these are Advanced Statements and Advanced Decisions. An individual can make both an Advanced Statement and an Advance Decision.

# Definition of Advanced Decisions

An Advanced Decision, short for Advanced Decision to Refuse Treatment, is a legally binding document. Its purpose is to ensure that an individual can refuse a specific treatment(s) that they do not want to have in the future.

# Advanced Decision Criteria

In order for an Advanced Decision to be legally binding, it must meet certain criteria:

​ _It must be valid (this means it must have been made at a time when the individual had capacity to make that decision)._

​ _It must be applicable (this means the wording must be specific to the medical circumstances, and not vague or unclear)._

​ _It must have been made when the individual was over 18, and fully informed about their decision._

​ _It must not have been made under the influence or duress of other people_

​ _It must be written down, be signed and witnessed (if it concerns a refusal of life-saving treatment)_

# What Can Advanced Decisions Cover?

Treatments that can be refused include life-sustaining treatments. It cannot refuse basic care (such as washing), food or drink by mouth, measures designed purely for comfort (e.g. painkillers), or treatment for a mental health condition if the individual is sectioned under the Mental Health Act. It can also not demand specific treatment or something that is illegal (e.g. assisted dying).

# Definition of Advanced Statement

An Advance Statement is sometimes called a "Statement of Wishes and Care Preferences". It allows an individual to make general statements about their wishes, beliefs, feelings and values and how these influence their preferences for their future care and treatment.

An Advance Statement is not by itself legally binding, but legally must be taken into consideration when making a "best interests" decision on someone's behalf under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), 2005. This is because one of the criteria of the MCA is that a patient's "wishes, feelings, beliefs and values" must be taken into consideration; an Advanced Statement provides evidence of this.

# Advanced Statement information included

Information that can be included in an Advanced Statement can be anything that is important to the individual. This might include:

​ _Religious or spiritual views, and those that might relate to care_

​ _Food preferences_

​ _Information about your daily routine_
​ _Where you would like to be cared for (in hospital, at home, in a care home etc.)_

​ _Any people who you would like to be consulted when best interests decisions are being made on your behalf (however this does not give the same legal power as creating a Lasting Power of Attorney)_

# What Can Advanced Statement Cover?

An Advanced Statement can be made verbally, but it is better to write it down so there is clear documented evidence of an individual's wishes and views. Copies of the Advanced Statement can be given to anyone the individual wishes to have a copy (e.g. their GP, carers and relatives).
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Advanced Statements and Advanced Decisions
Topic
57
Geriatrics
12493
A 87 year old female presents to A&E with confusion and sepsis. She is critically unwell. She has an Advance Statement document by her bedside.

Which of the following answers best describes an Advance Statement?
a