Nouvelle loi sur la fin de vie : ce qu'il faut retenir

In February 2016, a new Act completed the French end-of-life policy in particular the law edited in April 2005. This law describes new rights for patients. It strengthens the right for all the patients not to be submitted to futile treatments, the right to have their wishes respected in any circumstances, and the right to be relieved from pain and suffering, even in the most complex circumstances. The main points include the clarification of the definition of unreasonable obstinacy, and the commitment of doctors to respect patient' commands and the right, in certain circumstances, to benefit from deep and continuous intravenous sedation until death. The practice of intravenous injections resulting into the immediate death of the patient is strictly prohibited, whether at the request of the patient or guided by compassionate belief without explicit request. However, the doctor must implement all treatments required to alleviate pain and physical or psychological suffering, even if lead to shortening the patient's life expectancy.