Making an advance health directive
You can make an advance health directive if you are over 18 and have the capacity to do so. This means that you:
- understand the nature and consequences of your health care decisions
- understand the nature and effect of the directive
- freely and voluntarily make these decisions
- communicate your decisions in some way.
When to make a directive
The best time to make an advance health directive is now, before any urgent health condition arises. However, it is particularly important to make one if:
- you are about to be admitted to hospital
- your medical condition is likely to affect your ability to make decisions
- you have a chronic medical condition that could result in serious complications such as diabetes, asthma and heart or kidney disease.
How to make a directive
Fill out the advance health directive form (PDF file 273.4 KB) stating what type of medical treatment you want or do not want. This can be a general statement of your wishes, or it can give specific instructions about certain medical conditions or types of treatments.
Discuss with your doctor
Your doctor is the best person to talk to because they know your medical background and can explain any terms you do not understand. There is a section in the advance health directive form (PDF file 273.4 KB) that must be completed by a doctor.
Discuss with your family
You should also discuss the directive with your family. If you have already made an enduring power of attorney, talk to your attorney appointed to make decisions for you regarding personal matters. If you do not have an enduring power of attorney, discuss issues with the person you want to act as personal attorney under the directive.
Directives must be witnessed correctly
Besides you and your doctor, there must be a witness who is aged 21 or over and is a justice of the peace, commissioner for declarations, lawyer or notary public. The role of the witness is very important because they are responsible for making sure that your signature is genuine and that you understand the decisions you have made.
If you are using the form to appoint someone as an attorney for personal and health matters, this person will also have to sign the advance health directive. Your witness must not be:
- your attorney for personal matters
- your relative or a relative of your attorney
- a current health provider
- a current paid carer (this does not include a person on a carer’s pension)
- a beneficiary under your will.
What to do with the completed form
Keep the original in a safe place and give a copy to your doctor, your attorney for personal matters (if you have appointed one) and a family member or friend. It is a good idea to carry a card stating that you have made an advance health directive where it can be found, and contact details of your personal attorney or a family member or friend.