After two years of petitioning, Wairarapa woman Louise Duffy has the backing of parliament's health select committee, which agrees the current advance directive system needs urgent reform.
Louise Duffy's mother had an advance directive, or living will, which stated she did not wish to be treated if she had severe loss of physical or mental capacity.
But when she suffered a severe stroke in 2021, Louise says medical staff ignored her mother's wishes, and continued treatment.
Her mother, Barbie Duffy died 58 days later, after refusing food and, finally, fluids.
In 2023 Louise Duffy started a petition, calling for a national register of advanced directives, to strengthen current systems and give plans and people more certainty.
That petition made its way in front of parliament's health select committee which has recently reported back, and agreed urgent reform is needed.
A patient receiving medical care. Photo: UnSplash/ Stephen Andrews
