Started: October 2015
Website: www.mylivingwill.org.uk
Location: London
When illness strikes, people risk losing their ability to freely express their wishes about end of life treatments and care.
My Living Will allows people to understand the choices available to them for end of life care, and express their preferences in a way that is legally binding.
Doctors David Metz and Isky Gordon teamed up with entrepreneur Dee Kyne and software company Maldaba to develop a bespoke downloadable document suitable for signature and witnessing. The Living Will consists of an Advance Statement of preferences and a legally binding Advance Decision about treatments a patient may wish to refuse. The website guides the user through this process, challenging them to make thoughtful, well-informed personal choices.
Healthcare professionals and lawyers have contributed pro-bono expertise to My Living Will. It costs a maximum of £10 to complete the documents, but the benefits are priceless. Patients, their families and healthcare staff all benefit from a clear understanding of the wishes of a dying person, made in advance of any critical situation.
With no external funding or promotion, My Living Will is now looking to fund staff to maintain and publicise the website, with the aim of establishing a sustainable business model.