Re: JohnC actually wrong in a large number of countries using UK medical models. Patients do have a right to refuse treatment, absolutely. There is however no medicolegal obligation to follow the directions of the next of kin nor power of attorney if it is not in the clinical interests of the patient outside, to my knowledge, of the US. This is best reflected in NFR/not for code status - in the USA doctors are often limited to continuing futile resuscitation events and cannot change a patient's resuscitation status without consent. In many other countries, there are protections in law (UK, AU, NZ etc) for a not-for-resuscitation order due to the senior clinician's judgment that a patient would not survive the attempt - IE, not in the patient's best interest; such as in the case of disseminated malignancy. You can trust me on the truth of this matter if you like - I sign these forms.