P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre has launched a Living Will Clinic to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their future medical care. The clinic aims to help individuals articulate and document their healthcare preferences through a legally recognised Living Will, ensuring that their decisions are known and respected, even if they may be unable to communicate them later during their medical treatment.
A living will, also known as an advanced medical directive, is a legal document that enables individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in serious or unforeseen health circumstances, ensuring they retain control over future healthcare decisions. As part of advance care planning, it encourages individuals to reflect on their values, document treatment choices, appoint a medical power of attorney, and engage in meaningful conversations with loved ones.
Gautam Khanna, CEO, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, said, “This clinic offers compassionate guidance to help people articulate their values and ensure those wishes are honoured, even when they cannot voice them.”
Dr Roop Gursahani, Section Head, Neurology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, said, “Our healthcare system currently lacks preparedness for situations where patients are unable to communicate for themselves. In such cases, families are forced to make difficult decisions without knowing what their loved one would have wanted.”
Dr Smriti Khanna, Consultant – Palliative Medicine, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC said, “Conversations around end-of-life care are difficult but are an extremely essential part of advance care planning. Our goal at the clinic is to help people navigate through these decisions with sensitivity, keeping their values, beliefs, and comfort remain central to any future medical care they may receive.”
