ABSTRACT

The patient will have their own reasons for refusing treatment and the health professional must not impose their own value judgment upon them. Health professionals should, however, still work in partnership with patient. A patient who has consented to treatment is entitled to withdraw their consent at any time. Sometimes an apparent objection may reflect a cry of pain rather than withdrawal of consent, and appropriate reassurance may enable the practitioner to continue with the patient's consent. The distinguishing factor between capacity and irrational decision or psychiatric condition rendering the patient lacking capacity is the perception of reality. The patient therefore had a right to refuse treatment but it must be clear that he was mentally competent at the time the decision is made. Where a patient refuses life-saving treatment health professional cannot impose treatment under the guise of acting in an emergency to save the patient's life.