Can I refuse treatment?

The Patient Rights Act gives you the right to be well informed about the treatment options. Moreover, the law also gives you the opportunity to refuse treatments if you wish. This is of course only possible if you are conscious. If you can no longer express your will (e.g. due to a coma), you need an advance directive to have your wishes carried out.

It is therefore best to draw up this advance directive well in advance. To refuse certain treatments, it is best to draw up a negative advance directive. For example, you can indicate that you do not want to be ventilated or do not want tube feeding.

Source: https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi/article_body.pl?language=nl&pub_date=2024-02-23&caller=summary&numac=2024001224

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025