Article: Legal issues in end-of-life care - the adult patient

As nurses make every effort to give the best possible care to dying patients and their loved ones, some legal and ethical questions may arise. This first article in a three-part series explains what the law says about how to accommodate the wishes and preferences of adult patients at the end of life, even when they are beyond the point of active participation in decision-making.

Taylor, H. 2018.  Legal Issues in end-of-life care 1: the adults patient. Nursing Times, 114 (11) p 25-28.

Article: Informed consent - 1: legal basis and implications for practice

Nurses have a legal duty to ensure they obtain informed consent from their patients before carrying out any intervention or treatment. This is one of the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's Code. This article - the first in a series of two - discusses why informed consent is fundamental to the provision of person-centred care and explores the legal principles behind it.

Taylor, H. 2018. Informed Consent -1: legal basis and implications for practice.  Nursing Times, 114 (6) p 25 - 28.

Article: Informed consent - 2: assessing validity, capacity and necessity

This second article goes on to explore what makes consent valid, how it can be obtained, and in what circumstances treatment may proceed lawfully without the patient's consent - which has been clarified by the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Taylor, H. 2018. Informed consent - 2: assessing validity, capacity and necessity. Nursing Times, 114 (7) p 50-52.

Article: End of life decision making for people in a minimally conscious state: a review of the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005

This UK article provides a thorough overview of the key sections of the Mental Capacity Act applied in end of life minimally conscious state (MCS) cases.  Currently any decision involving the withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration must be referred to the Court of Protection.  It discusses two UK cases and how the courts have interpreted best interests when considering withdrawing or withholding nutrition and hydration and other life sustaining treatments.

Curtis, M. et al.  2018.  End of life decision making for people in a minimally conscious state. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 24 (3) p 334-344

Available to download or request a copy from the library

Article: Managing an intentional overdose in a hospice

This case report describes a patient admitted unconscious to a UK hospice following an intentional overdose of oxycodone.  It illustrates the practical and ethical challenges of managing an intentional overdose in a palliative care setting.

Dinnen, T. 2018.   Managing an intentional overdose in a hospice.  BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. 8 p 189 - 191.

Contact the library for a copy