Futile or Non-Beneficial Treatment

Where medical treatment is considered to be futile, of no benefit or not in a person’s best interests, a decision may be made to withhold or withdraw it. However, an older person, their family and/or health professionals may disagree about when treatment is futile or non-beneficial. The factsheet in this section explains the law about futile or non-beneficial treatment. You will also find a case study, mythbusters and other resources about the law in this area.