Parliament Approves 'Living Will' Law for Patient Medical Directives
In brief
- Parliament has approved a new law allowing Maltese citizens to register Advance Medical Directives.
- This 'living will' grants individuals control over future medical care and extraordinary treatments they may not wish to receive.
- The legislation aims to ease the burden on families and provide legal certainty for doctors.
Parliament has given its final approval to a new law that will allow Maltese citizens to register Advance Medical Directives, commonly known as a 'living will'. This legislation introduces a new right, enabling individuals to make decisions about their future medical care and extraordinary treatments.
The law empowers patients to specify treatments they may not wish to receive in the event of future medical conditions where they are unable to communicate their wishes. This ensures that their preferences regarding healthcare are respected.
The initiative, presented by Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, seeks to provide clarity and legal certainty for medical professionals. It also aims to alleviate the emotional and decision-making burden on families during difficult times.
By formalising these advance directives, the law ensures that a patient's autonomy over their health decisions is upheld, even when they are no longer in a position to express them directly.
The Spin Room
Low media divide. Both Lovin Malta and Times of Malta reported the approval of the 'living will' law factually, focusing on the new rights for patients and the law's benefits.