This National Advance Care Planning (ACP) week (17 to 23 March) is a great time to start a conversation with your doctor about the health care you’d want to receive in the event you become seriously ill or injured and unable to speak for yourself. Having advance care planning documents in place means you have a say in your treatments, and your family has comfort in knowing your wishes are being fulfilled.
Don’t leave your loved ones guessing…
Before making a plan, you should talk with family, friends and/or your healthcare team.
How to plan
The recommended advance care planning process includes:
- Understanding any health and ageing issues that you may be susceptible to.
- Thinking about your values and wishes for care and treatment.
- Discussing these with your family, friends and/or your treating healthcare team.
- Identifying your Person responsible or Enduring Guardian who can make decisions on your behalf.
- Completing an Advance Care Directive to capture your preferences for care and treatment.
Making an Advance Care Directive
An Advance Care Directive (directive) is a written document outlining what you’d like to happen in the event you become seriously ill or injured and unable to speak for yourself. It is legally binding and is therefore, the best way to ensure your wishes for treatment and care are respected by those closest to you.
If you are ready to make a directive, NSW Health has developed a comprehensive toolkit explaining all the information you need to know about the process and a form where you can record your wishes.
Support available:
- For any medical questions about your Advance Care Directive, please speak with your GP or treating healthcare team.
- For additional support related to Advance Care Planning you can contact the National Advance Care Planning Support Service on 1300 208 582
- For any legal questions related to your Advance Care Directive, you can contact NSW Trustee and Guardian on 1300 109 290.
When you have finished your directive, it is recommended you upload it to your My Health Record so your wishes can be safely and securely accessed by the health professionals who are treating you. If you are unable to do this, we are able to help you with this.
Please contact the practice on 4441 6521 to schedule an appointment to discuss making an advanced care directive with your doctor.
