Advance Health Directives
Advance Health Directives
If you are concerned that you might become unable to make medical decisions for yourself - for example, if you are rendered unconscious, or have an accident, or suffer from dementia - you still have options.
You could make an Advance Health Directive (AHD) and/or appoint someone to hold Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG). Prior to all of this you should consider formulating an Advance Care Plan (ACP) or a Goals of Care Statement (GOCS).
This page contains information on AHDs and EPGs operative in the State of Western Australia and provides a direct link to download the relevant statutory forms. It also contains a sample ACP which you may find helpful and offers links to related sites including advice from the Australian Catholic Bishops and Catholic Health Australia. Click here to view.
Useful Links
ACP Information
Advance Care Planning - A Patient's Guide Version 3 (health.wa.gov.au)
ACP Form
My Advance Care Plan (health.wa.gov.au)
AHD Information
Making an Advance Health Directive (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
How to make an AHD
Preparing an Advance Health Directive (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
AHD Form
Advance Health Directive (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
EPG Information
Enduring Power of Guardianship (EPG) (publicadvocate.wa.gov.au)
How to appoint an EPG
epg_guide.pdf (publicadvocate.wa.gov.au)
EPG Form (included in EPG Information (above)
Further Reading
Australian Bishops Advance Care Plan Template
Australian Bishops Guide to Making Future Health Decisions
Australian Bishops Guide for Health Professionals
Australian Bishops Guide to End-of-Life Decision Making
Briefing Note on Withholding or Withdrawing Nutrition and Hydration