Table 1 Mains components of the French law « Claeys-Leonetti » about end-of-life care
Patients’rights | Terms and conditions |
|---|---|
Person of trust | • Explain patient’s wishes concerning end-of-life care when the patient is not able to speak any more • Applicable with a written consent signed by both the patient and the person of trust • Can be modified or cancelled by the patient at any time • Physicians have to explain if they do not follow his/her advice |
Advanced directives | • Two models, with or without serious illness • Written patient’s wishes concerning end-of-life care • Applicable with a written document signed by the patient • Can be modified or cancelled by the patient at any time • No validity period • Opposability to doctors • Physicians have to explain if they do not follow the advanced directives |
New patient’s right : to ask for deep and continuous sedation until death | Applicable if the patient presents 3 conditions : 1. A refractory suffering 2. An incurable disease 3. A short term prognosis The decision has to be made during a multiprofessionnal meeting with 2 physicians at least. All treatments must be stopped excepted pain killers. Nutrition and hydration are considered as treatments |