Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking to hasten death

Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking is a major end-of-life decision that leads to death. It requires early assessment of decision-making capacity, treatable causes, alternatives, care wishes and intensive palliative support.

• Increasing weakness, sleepiness and reduced urine during the process.
• Dry mouth and thirst, often relieved by intensive mouth care.
• Discuss the wish with your usual GP and someone you trust before starting.
• Ask about palliative alternatives and have depression, delirium, pain and social pressure assessed.
• Contact your usual GP before starting to discuss decision-making capacity, alternatives and a complete palliative care plan.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.