Respecting future healthcare choices

If you became seriously ill, or had a serious accident, and were not going to return to normal, what sort of medical treatment would you want?

Who would you want to make decisions for you about your medical treatment?

If we know your choices for future health care, we are able to respect them.

What is Advance Care Planning?

Advance care planning (ACP) is a series of steps you can take to help you plan for your future health care. ACP is based on the principles of autonomy and dignity.

You have the right to make decisions about your health care, now and for the future. Medical treatment should only be given with your fully informed consent and you have the right to refuse treatment.

If, in the future, you become unable to express your choices for treatment, your doctors and family/friends may not know what you would want. ACP gives you the opportunity to think about, discuss and record, ahead of time, your choices.

An ACP ONLY comes into effect if you lose legal capacity to make decisions and express, in some way, your wishes and choices about your medical treatment.

More information

If you need assistance or would like more information please contact the Advance Care Planning Program, Canberra Health Services,
ACT Government. Phone: 02 5124 9274 or email: acp@act.gov.au.

This Advance Care Planning Australia (Austin Health) resource has been approved and adapted for local use.