Advance Health Directives
It is often difficult for individuals to think about the care and treatment they want in the event they are incapable of making their own health care decisions. Every competent adult has the legal right to accept or refuse any recommended health care.
This is relatively easy when we are well and can speak for ourselves. Unfortunately, during severe illness people are often unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate their wishes – at the very time when many critical decisions need to be made. By completing an Advance Health Care Directive, you can make your wishes known before this happens.
An Advance Health Care Directive is a document that states your wishes or directions regarding your future health care for various medical conditions. It comes into effect only if you are unable to make your own decisions.
The purpose of an Advance Health Care Directive is to give you confidence that your wishes regarding health care will be carried out if you cannot speak for yourself. And the reassurance for your family or loved ones that the decisions being made on your behalf are what you would want.
For Further Information on making a Health Directive:
Dr Jerome Mellor explaining how to complete a Health Directive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9e7wUAOBxc
Frequently Asked questions on Health Directives - Government Links
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/opg/ll_opg.nsf/pages/opg_yourwaytoplanahead
Examples of Advance Health Directive forms:
http://www.nrgpn.org.au/index.php?element=Advance+Care+Directive+Jerome+Mellor
http://aslarc.scu.edu.au/Advance%20Health%20Care%20Directive.doc
N.B: Feros Care recommends that the use of these forms are discussed with your medical practitioner and legal advisor.
