Terminally ill patients in Malta will be able to formally set out which medical treatments they wish to refuse should they become unconscious, under a new law set to be tabled in parliament.The proposed advanced medical directive, commonly referred to as a “living will”, would allow individuals to decline interventions such as CPR, artificial hydration and artificial feeding. To be legally valid, the document must be drawn up before a notary, and the person making it must be over 18 and mentally competent.Patients who later change their mind while still conscious can withdraw the directive by informing a medical professional in the presence of a witness.The legislation makes clear, however, that standard medical treatment, including palliative care, cannot be refused through such a directive. Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg said “Palliative care is considered a standard medical practice, so one cannot refuse it… Palliative care is there to ensure that a patient is kept as comfortable as possible in his last moments, when they are enduring great suffering.”Buttigieg stressed the bill does not introduce euthanasia, which remains illegal in Malta. She said the proposal emerged from the government’s public consultation on voluntary assisted dying and reflected broad agreement on strengthening personal autonomy in healthcare decisions.Former PBS editor Reno Bugeja, a member of the consultative committee, said any directive must comply with Maltese law. Requests for euthanasia, he noted, could not be honoured.The Palliative Care Association of Malta welcomed the initiative, saying advance care planning helps safeguard dignity and ensures treatment at the end of life focuses on comfort.The government also said the measure would help ease the emotional burden on families often required to make difficult medical decisions on behalf of loved ones who can no longer communicate their wishes.What do you make of this?•