A number of events will be held across the city on Thursday 11 April encouraging residents to let their family, carer or health professional know their wishes, in case they’re unable to make or communicate those decisions later in life.
An advance decision is also sometimes known as an advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) or a living will. Anyone over 18 can make an advance decision to refuse a specific treatment in the future, even if that would result in their death.
Belinda Sharratt, Mental Capacity Act Lead at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’re holding events across the city so that people can find out more about an advance decision. We want people to think ahead, plan ahead and share their wishes to their family, carers or health professionals.
“An advance decision can be made anytime, whether you’re in good health or not, as long as you have the mental capacity to make the decision. Having mental capacity means that you understand what making an advance decision means, what the consequences are and that you’re able to make an informed choice about it. It’s really important, because it means that if you were to become seriously ill or disabled, other people know what your biggest concern would be, whether you want to be an organ donor or where you would like to be cared for.”
For further information about making an advance decision, visit the NHS website (www.nhs.uk) and search for ‘advance decision’.
The advance decision events will be taking place across the city on Thursday 11 April at the following locations:
- Leeds Market – 11am to 3pm
- Leeds Railway Station – 8 to 9.30am
- Leeds Bus Station – 8 to 9.30am
- White Rose Centre – 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Gledhow Wing at St James’s University Hospital – 10am to 4pm
Notes to editors
Advance decision
For further information on making an advance decision, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/ and search for ‘advance decision’.
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: [email protected]