Amministrazione di sostegno, volontà del beneficiario e rifiuto delle cure

Many recent judgments, authorize the so called "amministratore di sostegno" (introduced in our legal system by Law n. 6 of January 9th, 2004) to express informed consent to medical treatments in the interest of the beneficiary/ patient – when he/ she is not able to make a reasonable assessment of his/ her interests, and then to express a valid consent to medical treatments – and even to refuse medical treatments, according to the wishes of the patients, on the ground of his/ her opinion, expressed in an advance care directive or resulting from his/ her behaviour, cultural background, ethical and religious convictions, etc. The article examines some judgments of the Italian Court that can better explain the importance and the meaning of this figure