February 20, 2017.
The Ministry of Health has announced that it is launching from Monday February 20 a major information campaign on the end of life. Objective: to enable patients to know their rights to “sedation” or “advance directives”.
Know your rights regarding the end of life
The questions that touch on the end of life are sometimes obscure. You have to be confronted one day to understand the ins and outs of the different pieces of legislation. However, it is important to know what is going on for avoid dramatic situations, such as the one experienced by Vincent Lambert’s family, divided on the decision to be taken concerning Vincent, severely disabled following an accident.
This is why the Ministry of Health has chosen to launch a major campaign, which should allow “ it is up to each French person to better understand their rights and to approach the subject calmly with health professionals, but also with those close to them “. The campaign will be orchestrated by the National Center for Palliative and End-of-Life Care and should provide a better understanding of the latest legislative changes, which entered into force a year ago.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide are prohibited in France
Among these changes are the possibility of a ” deep and continuous sedation “Until death. To shorten the suffering of the patient at the end of life, doctors can now administer sedatives that will allow him to stay asleep until his death. The law also specified what consisted the ” refusal of unreasonable stubbornness “, that is to say when the cessation of treatment could be decided.
Euthanasia, assisted suicide but also relentless therapy are not authorized in France. To be sure that your loved ones respect your choice regarding your end of life, you can now make a written declaration called ” advance directives “. For more information, visit the page dedicated to this question on the official website of the French administration.
Marine Rondot
