Final Stages of Illness
Facing the final stages of illness can be deeply emotional and challenging. Explore practical ways to help you navigate decisions and arrangements with clarity and care.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
If your loved one has made an LPA, it’s essential to check if it’s in place.
- If they’ve lost mental capacity, appointed Attorneys may have the authority to make decisions about life-sustaining treatment.
- Refer to the During Life section of this website for more details on LPAs.
Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR)
In some cases, doctors may recommend putting a DNAR in place.
What it means If your loved one’s heart or breathing stops, medical staff will not attempt resuscitation.
Key points
- DNAR is a medical decision, and doctors can implement it even if you disagree.
- You have the right to request a second opinion and a review if you oppose the decision.
- For further challenges, you’ll need formal legal advice and may need to apply to the High Court for an injunction.
End-of-Life Care at Home
If your loved one chooses to spend their final days at home, it’s important to ensure the necessary arrangements are in place
Key Steps in End-of-Life Care at Home
- GP visits Ensure the patient’s GP visits or conducts a video call or if they have visited before, are up to date with the medical notes and current condition. . Only an ‘Attending Medical Practitioner’ (AMP) can offer a medical cause of death for the Medical Examiner’s approval. The AMP must be a doctor (not a nurse or paramedic). They no longer need to have seen your loved one within the past 28 days but in practical terms will need to have recent knowledge of their current condition in order to propose the medical cause of death.
- GP/AMP to contact the Medical Examiner (ME) – When a death is expected, we encourage the doctors looking after the patient to contact the ME office before the death to have a discussion. The aim of this conversation is to agree a provisional cause of death and establish as far as possible that the death is natural and explainable and will not need to be notified to the Coroner. Following death the body can then be released promptly, and the full ME process completed thereafter.
End-of-Life Care at Hospital
If your loved one is receiving end-of-life care in a hospital, consider the following steps to minimise delays and ensure support
Key Steps
- Contact the Muslim Chaplain They can provide spiritual and emotional support.
- Engage with the Medical Examiner
- If death is expected imminently, the Medical Examiner can review notes and discuss the case with the treating doctor before death occurs.
- This can streamline the process of issuing the MCCD and preparing for the release of the body.
Good Practice
The National Medical Examiner recommends preparing in advance to reduce delays. Clear instructions should be recorded by the treating team for when death occurs, ensuring the family’s wishes are prioritised.
Take action now
Preparing for these moments can ease the burden on your loved ones. Make use of the resources provided, and reach out to the relevant professionals to ensure all arrangements are in place.
We’re here to help
Take the first step today – start planning for peace of mind and support your loved ones when they need it most.
Any questions?
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