End of life issues
Assisted dying
Doctors voted at the BMA's annual conference in June 2006 to oppose legalising assisted dying and euthanasia. This briefing document details current BMA policy and the reasons for reaching that decision.End-of-life decisions: BMA views
BMA views on contemporaneous and advance refusal of treatment, withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging medical treatment, and assisted dying - euthanasia and assisted suicide.Euthanasia and physician assisted suicide - do the moral arguments differ?
This discussion paper has been drawn up to stimulate wider debate within the profession about euthanasia and assisted suicide.New Cremation (amendment) Regulations 2006
The BMA Forensic Medicine Committee has received a circular from the Coroners Division at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, which draws attention to the Cremation (Amendment) Regulations 2006, effective 14 February 2006. The regulations were prepared following consultation with the Federation of British Cremation Authorities and senior coroners. The BMA was not invited to comment on the draft regulations.Treatment decisions for patients in persistent vegetative state
Guidelines regarding the treatment decisions for patients in persistent vegetative state, updated to reflect the Mental Capacity Act 2005.Withdrawing and withholding artificial nutrition and hydration
A briefing paper giving the BMA’s guidance on withholding and withdrawing artificial nutrition and hydration provides advice for health professionals about the range of factors that should be taken into account in making these difficult decisions.Withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging medical treatment. 30 March 2007
This report offers comprehensive guidance on the controversial and emotive issue of withholding and withdrawing life-prolonging treatment from patients of all ages and is available from the BMJ Bookshop.