An authoritative book on one of the most fundamental and contentious issues for health care professionalsFully updated to include provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (April 2007); the latest policy on advance directives and the impact of the Human Rights Act on such decisionsProvides guidance on the appointment of welfare attorneys to make health care decisions once capacity is lostDiscusses recent cases, including Burke, baby MB, and WyattWritten by medical ethics professionals in consultation with the appropriate medical and legal experts and in agreement with the General Medical Council"s guidelines