20. Certain aspects of causation of death

Terms defined in s 2

• directive

  directive

  Defined · s 2

  “directive” means an advance medical directive made under section 3;

  Open s 2
• extraordinary life‑sustaining treatment

  extraordinary life‑sustaining treatment

  Defined · s 2

  “extraordinary life‑sustaining treatment” means any medical procedure or measure which, when administered to a terminally ill patient, will only prolong the process of dying when death is imminent, but excludes palliative care;

  Open s 2
• medical practitioner

  medical practitioner

  Defined · s 2

  “medical practitioner” means a person who is registered, or deemed to be registered, as a medical practitioner under the Medical Registration Act 1997;

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• patient

  patient

  Defined · s 2

  “patient” means any person (whether or not he or she is undergoing any medical treatment, care or therapy) who is not mentally disordered, who has attained 21 years of age and who has made or desires to make a directive in accordance with this Act;

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• terminal illness

  terminal illness

  Defined · s 2

  “terminal illness” means an incurable condition caused by injury or disease from which there is no reasonable prospect of a temporary or permanent recovery where —(a)death would, within reasonable medical judgment, be imminent regardless of the application of extraordinary life‑sustaining treatment; and(b)the application of extraordinary life‑sustaining treatment would only serve to postpone the moment of the patient’s death.

  Open s 2