The BMA recently produced comprehensive professional guidance on advance statements and medical treatment, in the form of a Code of Practice and explanatory notes. However, some of the guidance is problematic. This article reviews various aspects of the Code and recommends its use as a set of essential explanatory notes to health-care professionals.

Decision Making↗

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Ends and means of life: the Supreme Court and withdrawal of nutrition and hydration.

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Adult↗

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Medical records: law, paternalism and harm.

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗

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Capacity to decide about medical treatment.

The British Medical Association and Law Society recently produced much-needed guidance for doctors on assessment of mental capacity to consent to or refuse medical treatment. This article assesses various aspects of the guidance and examines key issues with reference to growing literature on capacity. The author recommends use of the guidance to health-care professionals generally and identifies further areas for consideration.

Adolescent↗

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Bioethics body needed.

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Ethics, Medical↗