belgian law on euthanasia - ku leuven · belgian law on euthanasia. definition •intentionally...
TRANSCRIPT
Belgian law on euthanasia
Definition
• Intentionally terminating life by someone other than the person concerned, at the latter’s request
• Can only be asked by the PATIENT himself
• Intention = to STOP my LIFE
• Can only be done by MEDICAL DOCTOR
Euthanasia : two ways
Written request Advance directive
Conditions
• The physicians who performs euthanasia commits no criminal offence when he ensures that: Patient:
• Reached age of majority (since 2014 also for minors)
• Legally competent and conscious at moment of making request
Request:• Voluntary
• Well considered
• Repeated
Disease:• Condition of constant and unbearable physical or mental
suffering, resulting from a serious and incurable disorder caused by illness or accident
AND respected the procedure
Procedure
• Inform the patient about • his condition and life expectancy
• possibilities of treatment
• possibilities of palliative care
• To be convinced • there are no reasonable solutions
• request is without external pressure
Procedure
• Different conversations to be sure of suffering
• Consult another physician
• Discuss the request with nursing team
• So patient desires, discuss request with relatives
Procedure
• If physician believes patient is clearly not expected to die in the near future, he must also: Consult a second physician
Allow at least 1 month between the written request and the act of euthanasia
The written request
• Drawn up, dated and signed by the patient himself
• If patient is not capable of doing this: Drawn up by person designated by patient
• Attained age of majority
• No material interest in death of patient
The advance directive
• In cases where one is no longer able to express one’s will, every legally competent person of age can drawn up an advance directive instructing a physician to perform euthanasia if the physician ensures that: Patient suffers from a serious and incurable
disorder, caused by illness or accident
Patient is no longer conscious
Condition is irreversible
• Advanced directive: 1 or more persons taken in confidence can be
designated to inform the physician about the patient’s will
Written in presence of 2 witnesses:• At least 1 has no material interest in death patient
Procedure
• Consult another (independent) physician
• Discuss with nursing team
• Discuss with designated (in directive) person
Euthanasia for minors
• No age limit ( Netherlands: over 12y)
• Terminally ill and in great pain
• Parental consent
Medication
• natriumpentothal (Pentothal®) 4 g
• vecuroniumbromide (Norcuron®) 20 mg
The federal control and evaluation commission
• 16 experts
• Evaluates the registration forms (recieves it within 4 working days after act)
Evolution euthanasia
2013
• Officially registred: 1.807 Patient expected to die in near future: 87%
Diagnosis of cancer: 73%
Advance directive: 2%
• Registered advance directives: 20.414
• No minors
20%
80%
20%
Cases to discuss
France: Chantal Sébire
Italy: Eluana Englaro
USA: Terri Schiavo
UK: Tony Nicklinson
Thank you !