|
Most of us don’t even want to consider the possibility of having to be in situation where we will need life support. Unfortunately it is something that you need to think about, especially because it could mean the difference between life and death. With a living will you could stipulate whether you would want to or prohibit health care professionals from keeping you alive artificially if the situation should occur. Although a living will is not recognised as legal document yet in the statute law of South Africa, it does however, according to Section 12 of the Constitution, state that “everybody has the right to bodily and psychological integrity”. This means that you can, in your living will, make life support requests.
The reason for a living will is to give guidance to the doctor and the patient’s family during situations where the patient is in no condition to make decisions. In your living will you can stipulate what should be done when the situation occurs, whether or not you would want to be kept alive artificially. When living wills include refusal of life support requests and it has been brought to the attention of the doctor, but he proceeds by ignoring the living will, the doctor’s acts in contradiction to the patients instructions.
To ensure that your doctor and family knows your wishes during times when you cannot make decisions for yourself, it is advised that you draw up a living will. With this document you will be able to state any refusal of life support requests you might have.
If you want or need a living will, contact Adele van der Walt Attorneys. They will assist you with your living will as well as advise you on any life support requests
|
