According to figures gathered this week by Ministry of Health officials there are now more than 12,000 living wills, up from fewer than 9,000 just under three months ago.

According to the ministry, the surge in registrations relates to public awareness campaigns on the subject. However, it also comes at a time when a debate has started about the decriminalisation of assisted dying, sometimes referred to as euthanasia.

Any adult may make a living will, which serves to specify what kind of treatment and care that person wants or does not want to receive if they are at the time incapable of expressing those wishes. It may also nominate one or more legal representatives for the purpose.

Registering such a document makes it possible for doctors swiftly and continuously to access the wishes of the patient via a special portal, which may be done in an emergency situation or when a specific treatment is at issue. The most likely situation is when an incurable disease has been diagnosed, or in a terminal phase, when there is no prospect of recovery.

The prospective patient may indicate that they choose not to be revived, or not to undergo invasive surgery or to be kept alive artificially by means that are only aimed at slowing the natural process of death. It is also possible to decide not to undergo treatment that is in an experimental phase, request religious assistance when artificial life support is interrupted, or the presence of a particular person.

The document also has an area that is left blank for the person to fill in as they see fit.

The form may be downloaded from the national health service's online portal and handed in to a health centre recognised under the living will register, once it has been notarised or signed in the presence of an official at a recognised health centre.