This personal view draws attention to the lack of regard, given by the BMA in its new guidance, to the symptomatic benefit of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH) in patients who are not imminently dying. This article aims to identify how ignoring symptomatic benefit is a serious oversight and cause for concern given that this document, endorsed by the General Medical Council (GMC) and courts, is created with the purpose of providing a framework for best interests decision-making.
The new BMA guidance on CANH, which is endorsed by the GMC,