Living Will Cork — Advance Healthcare Directive Ireland

A living will — more formally known as an Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) in Irish law — is a legal document that sets out your wishes regarding medical treatment in case you become unable to make or communicate decisions in the future. It ensures doctors and hospitals know what treatments you do and do not want.

Is a Living Will Legally Binding in Ireland?

Yes. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 gives statutory recognition to Advance Healthcare Directives in Ireland. Healthcare professionals must take your AHD into account and are legally bound to follow a refusal of treatment contained in a properly made directive, once you lacked capacity at the time the decision was needed.

What Can a Living Will Cover?

Your living will can address:

• Refusal of specific medical treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation, resuscitation, artificial nutrition)
• Preferences about pain management and palliative care
• Wishes regarding organ donation
• Preferences about where you are cared for (home, hospice, hospital)
• Instructions about blood transfusions or other specific treatments

A living will cannot be used to request unlawful treatment or assisted dying — it covers refusals and preferences within the scope of lawful medical practice.

Designated Healthcare Representative

As part of your Advance Healthcare Directive, you can appoint a Designated Healthcare Representative (DHR) — a trusted person who can communicate and advocate for your wishes with healthcare providers when you lack capacity. This role is similar to a healthcare attorney and can be combined with your Enduring Power of Attorney.

Making a Valid Advance Healthcare Directive in Cork

To make a valid AHD in Ireland, you must:

1. Be over 18 and have capacity at the time of making it
2. Make it in writing
3. Sign it in the presence of a witness
4. If appointing a DHR, have the appointment separately witnessed

A Cork solicitor can draft your AHD to ensure it is clear, legally compliant, and covers your specific wishes.

How Is a Living Will Different from an Enduring Power of Attorney?

An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) appoints someone to make decisions for you; a living will sets out the decisions directly. They complement each other and are best made together. Many Cork clients prepare both at the same time.

Who Should Make a Living Will in Cork?

Anyone aged 18 or over in Cork should consider making an AHD, but it is especially important for:

• Older adults concerned about dementia or serious illness
• Anyone with a chronic or terminal illness
• People who have strong views about specific medical interventions
• Anyone with religious convictions that affect medical treatment choices

Where to Keep Your Living Will

Keep the original in a safe, accessible place. Give copies to your GP, any treating consultants, your DHR, and your solicitor. Consider carrying a card in your wallet indicating that an AHD exists.