ADVANCE HEATH DIRECTIVES

An AHD, sometimes referred to as a “Living Will”, allows you to make decisions about what treatments you want – or do not want – to receive if you ever become sick or injured and unable to communicate your wishes personally. The AHD speaks for you.

 You may prefer the option of an AHD if you do not want to put the responsibility of decision-making on another person and if you are very specific about your preferences for medical treatment. An AHD can ensure that your medical treatment recognises and respects your religious and cultural beliefs.

It is important that you prepare an AHD while you are healthy and have the mental capacity to do so.

“Treatment” includes medical, surgical, palliative, dental and other health care. In your AHD, you can nominate all of your preferences for medical treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, life support, resuscitation, artificial feeding and hydration and antibiotics.

If you do not have an AHD, and you become so ill that you cannot make decisions or speak for yourself, you have no way of making your wishes known about when to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining measures. A treatment decision will be made on your behalf in the event that you are unable to make the treatment decision for yourself. A non-urgent treatment decision will be made by (in the following order of priority) your Enduring Guardian (if you have appointed one), your Guardian (if one has been appointed for you) or by a person responsible for you (such as your spouse, parent, child or sibling).

An AHD must be made and witnessed in a form prescribed by law. I can help you prepare your AHD to ensure that it reflects your wishes and is legally binding.